Lebanon Cracks Down on 2 Houthi-Affiliated TV Stations

A general view of Beirut central district, Lebanon, August 22, 2019. Picture taken August 22, 2019. (Reuters)
A general view of Beirut central district, Lebanon, August 22, 2019. Picture taken August 22, 2019. (Reuters)
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Lebanon Cracks Down on 2 Houthi-Affiliated TV Stations

A general view of Beirut central district, Lebanon, August 22, 2019. Picture taken August 22, 2019. (Reuters)
A general view of Beirut central district, Lebanon, August 22, 2019. Picture taken August 22, 2019. (Reuters)

Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi requested that the General Security and Internal Security Forces probe two television stations affiliated with the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen that are operating from Beirut.

He ordered the probe to determine from where the al-Masira and al-Sahat channels are being broadcast so that the necessary measures can be taken against them.

The Interior Ministry announced it had received a letter from Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Awad bin Mubarak over how the Houthis were "carrying out hostile acts of incitement from within Lebanese territories" through those stations, which are operating without a license.

The Ministry said the channels "may impede official efforts to bolster Lebanese relations with Arab countries and undermine their sovereignty, international laws and the Arab League charter."

Mawlawi also requested that the Information and Telecommunications Ministries probe the channels.



Erdogan Says Türkiye in Close Dialogue with Syria’s Sharaa

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
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Erdogan Says Türkiye in Close Dialogue with Syria’s Sharaa

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)

Türkiye is in close dialogue with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, adding visits to Syria will increase from now on.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan said Türkiye would provide the Syrian people with all the support they needed to consolidate their gains.

"In the future of Syria and our region, there is no place for any terrorist organization, including ISIS and the PKK," he said, adding Türkiye’s unwavering line is to protect Syria's territorial integrity and unity under all circumstances.