"The troops are just sitting there at the border — they're not doing sweeps," he said, adding that the security situation in the borderlands was getting worse.
Observer columnist Nick Cohen argues in this article that Lambert is "uniquely unqualified" to hold his academic post, adding that the security establishment has not disowned him.
"I never travel by plane to Paris," he said, adding that the security process is fast and uncomplicated at Waterloo in London and at Gare du Nord in Paris.
"The Pentagon strategy of reducing troops doesn't make sense to me," said Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, adding that the security situation demanded a continuing American presence.
"We have to remember why we invaded the country in the first place," Mr. Pawlenty said, adding that the security level was not yet sufficient for a full withdrawal.
Mr. Ghanem said, "Now we are in the same boat" as Iraq, adding that the security situation was being further complicated by upheavals in neighboring countries, including Algeria, Chad and Niger.
"We just decided that being here all together was the safer thing because of the security they'd have," said Mr. Kirschbaum, while adding that the security seemed light.
Prime minister Mehdi Jomaa condemned what he called a "desperate attempt" to disrupt the election, and later told AFP that what had happened was of no "impact", adding that the security situation was under control.
"All the leaders of the non-Communist nations of Europe refuse to meet with you," the letter said, adding that the security forces, created to defend the socialist order against the exploiting classes, had been turned against workers and intellectuals.
But some human rights groups have questioned the ferocity of the police response and have called for an investigation, adding that the security forces have a history of abuse.
Moshe Katsav, Israel's president, said, "Our willingness to make concessions is a result of the Palestinian willingness to battle terrorism," adding that "as the security situation and terror worsen, the willingness to make concessions diminishes".
