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| Arabia |
| Lebanon blocks TV criticism of Saudis |
| 2003-01-01 |
| Lebanese special forces surrounded a Beirut-based satellite television station Wednesday to prevent it from airing a program containing criticism of Saudi Arabia, sources at the station — New TV — told United Press International. New TV had planned to invite Saudi opposition figures to discuss the Saudi regime, political and economic conditions in Saudi Arabia, and also the use of U.S. military bases in the country in the event of a U.S.-led attack on Iraq. But the station sources told UPI that Information Minister Ghazi Aridi had asked New TV Chairman Tahseen Khayat not to broadcast the program. When Khayat refused, Aridi told him that going ahead would lead to the government shutting down his TV station. Shortly afterwards special forces surrounded the station and several police were seen entering the building. The police later said they had prevented the program being aired. Oh, how very subtle... Khayat accused the Lebanese government of bowing to pressure from Saudi Arabia, which for the past decade has been providing large financial help to Lebanon to ease the country's serious economic problems. Political sources pointed out that prior to requesting that the program not be aired, Aridi had a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, who has close contacts with Saudi King Fahd and other top Saudi officials. Khayat's station supports the Lebanese political opposition and is widely believed to have close contacts with Libya, the political sources said. Abdel Hadi Mahfouz, head of the National Media Council, an officially recognized body, defended the government decision, saying it was "a precautionary measure to avoid harming Lebanon's foreign ties. It is normal to protect Lebanon's relations with friendly and brotherly countries." If they'd gone ahead with the program, they were afraid Prince Al Walid might change his mind about buying the country... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |