Three days after the German decision to ban Hizbullah's Al-Manar TV on grounds that it "violates the country's constitution," Lebanese current and former information ministers have declared their complete support for the TV station and called the German decision a "big mistake."
Lebanese Information Minister Tarek Mitri phoned Al-Manar director-general Abdallah Kassir to say that the German measure against the channel was strange and unacceptable and was not in line with the freedom of expression believed to be an evident right in democratic societies.
Mitri also assured the Al-Manar administration that he would ask the German authorities for an explanation regarding the measure, and reiterated his commitment to freedom of expression and belief regardless of differences in political positions.
Also, Lebanese Public Work Minister Ghazi Aridi, who is also a past information minister, expressed his support for Al-Manar in its struggle and called the German decision to ban the channel a big and unacceptable mistake.
On November 21, Germany banned the station on grounds that it violates the country's constitution. The ban prevents German satellite television companies from offering the channel.
(CLICK HERE To visit the MEMRI TV page for Al-Manar.)
Source: Al-Manar.com.lb, November 24, 2008
