DUBAI, 29 January 2004 — Arabic television station Al-Arabiya said yesterday Iraqi authorities had allowed it to reopen its Baghdad office after a two-month ban over charges of inciting violence. The Dubai-based satellite channel said the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council took its decision after the channel pledged to abide by Iraqi laws and policies of objectivity.
Iraqi police shut down the office last November and the Governing Council accused Al-Arabiya of violating the law by airing an audiotape purportedly from ousted President Saddam Hussein, who was captured by US forces in December.
The US-led administration has introduced a law in post-war Iraq banning the media from inciting hatred. Al-Arabiya, which has broadcast several audiotapes said to have been recorded by Saddam, denied the charges.
