Bahrain suspends pan-Arab news channel

Bahrain Monday announced the suspension of Al-Arab satellite channel after it failed to obtain a licence to commence broadcasting.

The 24-hour news channel stopped transmission Feb 2 after its launch for "administrative and technical purposes", Xinhua news agency reported citing an Information Affairs Authority (IAA) statement.

The official announcement of the suspension came after a cabinet decision was taken.

"The IAA emphasises that the channel had also failed to match the standards of regional and international practice agreements, to take account of efforts aimed at stemming the tide of extremism and terrorism throughout the region and the wider world," the statement said.

There has been no official statement yet from the channel.

Al-Arab went off air after it hosted senior Al Wefaq National Islamic Society member Khalil Al Marzooq, who spoke about the decision by the interior ministry to revoke the citizenship of 72 people.

The channel is owned by Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and has over 250 staff based in Bahrain.