Abdel Bari Atwan



David Cameron, the foreign secretary, William Hague, and Nicolas Sarkozy are not the prophet Muhammad

Abdel Bari Atwan, also spelled Abd Al-Bari Atwan, is a bloke living in London who edits the Arabic newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi. He holds views that could be described, at best, as questionable.

He also reportedly endorsed the murder of Israeli citizens in the terrorist attacks in Eilat in August 2011.

Despite his dubious opinions, Atwan has been allowed to write for The Guardian, where he has provided weird religious commentary on NATO's intervention in Libya. "Islamic experts assure me there is no prohibition of warfare during Ramadan [but] concur that it is absolutely prohibited for Muslims to seek the help of non-believers against fellow Muslims", apparently. He has also discussed the matter on the BBC series Newsnight.

"The Abd Al-Bari Atwan [appearing] on CNN is completely different from the Abd Al-Bari Atwan on the Al-Jazeera network or in his Al-Quds Al-Arabi daily", says Munir Al-Mawari in the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Siyassa. "On CNN, Atwan speaks solemnly and with total composure, presenting rational and balanced views. This is in complete contrast with his fuming appearances on Al-Jazeera and in Al-Quds Al-Arabi".

In the pay of Gaddafi?
Reportedly, the new Libyan government has released documents revealing that Atwan was being paid $3000 a month by Colonel Gadaffi.