Lebanon threatens over French Al-Manar ban, Israel hails

By: Sultan Ahmed

DOHA: Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karameh threatened to punish French media in response to a French ban on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar for alleged anti-Semitism.

Speaking at a news conference in Doha, he said: “If the (French) decision is enforced, we will apply the principle of reciprocity,” toward French media which are beamed to Lebanon.

“Certain French officials have admitted Israeli pressure was exerted on them ... Al-Manar did not make a mistake,” he added.

Paris-based satellite operator Eutelsat ceased to broadcast the Lebanese television station on Tuesday within the European Union, following a ruling Monday by France's highest administrative court.

Al-Manar called the French legal decision a “dangerous precedent”.

Israel praised France's Council of State for ordering the satellite company Eutelsat to stop broadcasts of Al-Manar television, the mouthpiece of the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

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