Beirut- Arab satellite operator “Nilesat” staged a decisive walkout against the Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah. The operator administration cut the transmission of “Al-Manar”-Hezbollah official media outlet- for reasons it considered private. The broadcasting channel was also put off “Arabsat” transmission a few months ago.
Loosing transmission on an Arab leading satellite in a massive crack down on the spread process of the Hassan Nasrallah led organization into the Arab world left the channel in distress.
The Hezbollah’s media outlet plan B involved resorting to a Russian satellite- which is not frequently used in the Arab region- rendering audience compensation at a minimum as its former range of receiving audience on Arab satellites cannot be replaced.
Given that it is not popular in the Arab world, telecommunications expert Tony Hayek explained that the chosen Russian satellite, currently airing Al-Manar, in no way counterweighs being taken off Nilesat.
RT Arabic (Russia Today) hasn’t settled to exposure provided solely by the Russian satellite, and resorted to Nilesat and Hot Bird to increase its popularity in the Arab world, Hayek added.
On the other hand, Hezbollah carried on its campaign against Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, which was launched on to condemn a satirical cartoon it published earlier this month. The newspaper issued a statement of clarification on the misunderstanding caused.
However, Hezbollah governmental bloc MP Nawwaf Moussawi heightened the level on his criticism against the newspaper, directing accusations to Lebanese authorities for not taking effective measures against the newspaper which stop all those who insult or humiliate the country or the people of Lebanon.
Contradictory to Moussawi’s condemnations on alleged violations, his statements completely overlooked the assault the newspaper’s Beirut offices were subjected to.
Regarding the developments on the break and enter and deliberate vandalism of Asharq Al-Awsat Beirut offices lawsuit against arrested assailants, retributive Single Judge Wael Sadek set the trial date for the seven attackers in detention and the eight on the loose next Monday.
Hassan Bazzi, the defendants’ representing lawyer filed a petition for release, which will be legally looked into Friday morning.