Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television shuts Lebanon offices -
Closure comes months after Saudi halted military aid to Lebanon in protest of what it called Hezbollah's 'stranglehold' on the country
Arabiya's headquarters in Dubai Media City (AFP)
MEE and agencies
Friday 1 April 2016 12:44 UTC
Last update:
Friday 1 April 2016 12:45 UTC
The Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya news channel has shut down its offices in Lebanon, amid tensions between the kingdom and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.
The Beirut offices of Al-Arabiya and its sister channel Al-Hadath, which offers extensive coverage of political news, have been closed and they no longer have any correspondents in Lebanon, a spokesman from the channel told AFP.
In a statement, the Dubai-based channel said it has "restructured" its operations in Lebanon "due to the difficult circumstances and challenges on ground, and out of Al-Arabiya's concern for the safety of its own employees and those employed by its providers."
It said it would nonetheless "continue to closely cover Lebanese affairs".
The channel said it would help employees affected by the decision to find jobs elsewhere with Al-Arabiya or its providers. Those dismissed would be given "their full legitimate rights" and "other exceptional grants".
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-owned-al-arabiya-television-shuts-lebanon-offices-1429395041
