Arabiya TV banned in Iraq over federalism law: speaker

BAGHDAD - Iraq's parliament speaker said Monday the month-long closure of Al-Arabiya satellite television's offices in Baghdad was due to its coverage of a controversial draft law on regional autonomy.

"It is an unjustified accusation against a community when Al-Arabiya says that a draft submitted by the Shiites would lead to secession or the division of Iraq," Mahmud al-Mashhadani told a news conference.

"The prime minister has been empowered by parliament to close any journalistic office because we exist in a time of bloodletting," he said.

"We will punish provocative news that culminates in sectarianism," said Mashhadani. Authorities would also be "stricter with local newspapers and magazines because we want to reduce tension".

On Thursday, the cabinet closed the Baghdad bureau of the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya offices for one month, citing a number of examples of biased coverage by the station.

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