Egypt's Nilesat Stops Broadcasting Al-Manar
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Egyptian satellite provider Nilesat stopped carrying the Hezbollah-run Al-Manar news channel to its subscribers.
Lebanon's National News Agency said on the company informed the Telecommunications Ministry of its intention to end operations in Lebanon starting 10 am Wednesday when a contract signed with the government expires, the Daily Star reports.
Al-Manar has "violated the contract by broadcasting shows that provoke sectarian strife and sedition," the report claimed, adding that the company stopped carrying Al-Manar on Tuesday.
Nilesat's Lebanon office is located in the Mount Lebanon town of Jouret al-Ballout.
Local media reported that Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb contacted Egypt’s ambassador in Lebanon to discuss the matter.
The move appears to be in line with recent Persian Gulf measures to punish Lebanon and Hezbollah over policies that have angered Riyadh. Egypt's government is backed by Saudi Arabia.
Saudi-based satellite provider Arabsat had stopped broadcasting Al-Manar in December, weeks after it also stopped broadcasting pro-Syrian Al Mayadeen TV.
Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV also abruptly shut its offices in Beirut Friday and laid off the local staff over "security reasons.” One source told The Daily Star that the channel had informed its 27 employees of the decision to cease operations Friday without prior notice.
