Turkey Orders Muslim Brotherhood TV Channels to Stop Attacking Egypt

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a symbolic funeral ceremony for former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, June 18, 2019, at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul. (AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a symbolic funeral ceremony for former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, June 18, 2019, at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul. (AFP)
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Turkey Orders Muslim Brotherhood TV Channels to Stop Attacking Egypt

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a symbolic funeral ceremony for former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, June 18, 2019, at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul. (AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a symbolic funeral ceremony for former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, June 18, 2019, at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul. (AFP)

Turkish authorities have ordered Istanbul-based TV channels affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood to stop airing criticism and incitement leveled against Egypt and Gulf states immediately.

The move represents the first real step taken by Ankara towards improving ties with Egypt after it had repeatedly claimed to have a desire to turn over a new leaf in its relationship with the African country.

The dispute between Ankara and Cairo began after the Egyptian army ousted Muslim Brotherhood President Mohammed Morsi, who was an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Egypt later recognized the group as an extremist organization which caused multiple Muslim Brotherhood members and their supporters to flee to Turkey after their activities were banned in the country.

Turkey issued an order for three Muslim Brotherhood channels (El Sharq TV, Watan TV, Mekameleen) to immediately stop airing political shows critical of Egypt and to only air non-political shows and series.

Penalties will be imposed on those who defy the order; this includes permanently closing down the TV stations.

Ayman Nour, head of El Sharq TV, confirmed that Turkish officials demanded that the channels tone down their rhetoric as Turkey seeks warmer ties with Egypt.

In a tweet, Nour ruled out Turkish authorities shutting down any channel but acknowledged that the media outlets were under pressure to dim criticism of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s rule.

Nour described the order from Turkish authorities as a “crisis” that he had hope for the channels to overcome.

He added that Ankara was now “focused on media conduct in the context of these latest exchanges between Turkey and Egypt.”

Turkish officials demanded that stations and media outlets “commit to respecting the charters of journalistic ethics.”

Yasin Aktay, an adviser to Erdogan, said the move said that move by Turkish authorities followed a recognition that the stations were broadcasting inappropriate political content that contradicts journalistic ethics.

Aktay claimed that the Turkish authorities were unaware of the content being spread by the networks until they were notified by the Egyptian government.

He also denied Ankara was planning to expel or hand over Egyptian journalists and political opponents to Cairo.

“Turkey will not arrest anyone or hand anyone over,” Aktay said on social media.

Egypt’s Minister of Information Osama Heikal said he welcomed news of Turkey’s decision to ban anti-Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood channels, referring to it as “a good initiative.”

Heikal said the decision “creates an appropriate atmosphere for discussing controversial issues.”

And he said Egypt’s position was constant and worked to “develop relations with everyone according to common interests."



Libyan Central Bank Announces ‘Clearing’ of Public Debt

Tunisia’s Foreign Minister, Mohamed Ali Nafti meets with Stephanie Khoury, acting head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. (Tunisian Foreign Ministry)
Tunisia’s Foreign Minister, Mohamed Ali Nafti meets with Stephanie Khoury, acting head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. (Tunisian Foreign Ministry)
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Libyan Central Bank Announces ‘Clearing’ of Public Debt

Tunisia’s Foreign Minister, Mohamed Ali Nafti meets with Stephanie Khoury, acting head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. (Tunisian Foreign Ministry)
Tunisia’s Foreign Minister, Mohamed Ali Nafti meets with Stephanie Khoury, acting head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. (Tunisian Foreign Ministry)

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Libya Sadiq al-Kabir said he is confident of returning to his role at the bank, despite not providing a specific timeline.

Kabir, speaking from self-imposed exile in Istanbul, emphasized the legality of his position and accused the current administration of resorting to intimidation, including arrests and kidnappings of bank staff, to force their return to work.

Kabir also claimed that the bank’s dealings with 30 major international institutions have been suspended.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Central Bank administration, selected by the Presidential Council, announced that Libya’s public debt has been entirely cleared, reducing it to zero.

In its monthly financial report, covering the period from the start of the year to the end of the previous month, the administration said it aimed to increase transparency and accountability in the bank’s operations.

It highlighted ongoing efforts to improve communication and ensure monetary and financial stability.

Asim al-Hajjaji, the head of compliance at the Central Bank, confirmed that the institution had regained stability with the return of all employees, Italian Nova Agency reported.

He noted that the bank is now focusing on aligning with international standards and boosting transparency, which has helped restore the confidence of international financial institutions.

The new administration is also working to re-establish ties with global banks and financial entities, he underlined.

On the diplomatic front, Tunisia’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti reaffirmed Tunisia’s support for UN-led efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis during a meeting with Stephanie Khoury, acting head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.

Tunisia offered to assist in facilitating dialogue and reconciliation efforts aimed at reaching a lasting political solution in Libya.

Khoury expressed her appreciation for Tunisia’s ongoing support and cooperation with the UN mission, emphasizing the country’s role in providing essential assistance to the mediation process.