Morocco suspends Al-Jazeera TV's operation

Arabic news network accused of tarnishing the North African country's image with its reporting; accreditation to take effect immediately.

al jazeera quits ramallah 248.88 ap (photo credit: AP)
al jazeera quits ramallah 248.88 ap
(photo credit: AP)
RABAT, Morocco — Moroccan authorities reported on Friday they have suspended all activities of Al-Jazeera television for allegedly tarnishing the North African country's image with its reporting.
The official MAP news agency says the decision by the Communications Ministry to withdraw the accreditation for the broadcaster's staff takes effect immediately.
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Al-Jazeera's bureau chief in Morocco, Abdelkader Kharoubi, said that despite the announcement, the dialogue with the authorities continues.
A ministry statement Friday complained over Qatar-based broadcaster's coverage of the disputed Western Sahara territory.
The Western Sahara is a mineral-rich former Spanish colony located south of Morocco on Africa's northwest coast. Morocco took control of it in 1979, four years after the Spanish pulled out. The Saharawi people seek independence, and a truce has held since 1991 between a rebel group and Morocco.