Siniora: Arabs will show democracy, Islam compatible

Future bloc head Fouad Siniora said Friday Arabs would prove Islam was compatible with democracy, and that the Arab Spring would ultimately bring change to the Arab world. Speaking at a political forum in Istanbul, Turkey, entitled “Is the Arab Spring Enough to Bring Democracy to the Arab World,” Siniora said the popular movements in the Arab world since the Tunisian uprising have made considerable achievements, particularly in breaking a barrier of fear. “Brave women and men took to the streets protesting against oppression and marginalization, wanting to regain their dignity and freedom and to end the idea that the Arab world is an exception [to democratic rule],” Siniora said. He added that the world should not fear the rise of Islamic majorities in the Arab world. “Diversification, which should have been an element of power, was turned into an element of division by the dictatorships who portrayed themselves as the guardians of minorities’ rights,” he added.