Iraq lifts ban on Arab TV channel

Al-Arabiya has been criticised by the US Government

The al-Arabiya satellite television channel outlawed by the Iraqi Governing Council has been allowed to reopen its Baghdad office.

The company said the US-appointed body let it resume operations after it agreed to obey Iraqi laws.

Al-Arabiya's office was shut down in November after coalition forces accused it of inciting violence.

It had broadcast a message allegedly from Saddam Hussein urging resistance against US-led forces in the country.

Ban criticised

At the time the Dubai-based satellite station defended its decision to broadcast the tape, saying it was dedicated to impartiality.

On Wednesday, the station said it had written to the Governing Council asking for the ban to be lifted and pledging to "remain committed to our journalistic integrity and objectivity".

The station added that it "'looked forward to opening a new chapter of co-operation between the station and the council", the Associated Press news agency reported.

Both al-Arabiya and Arabic news channel al-Jazeera have been criticised by senior US officials for their coverage of the Iraqi conflict.

In November, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld described al-Arabiya and al-Jazeera as "violently anti-coalition".

Last September the Governing Council introduced a law banning the media from inciting violence.

The move was criticised by Western-based media watchdogs but praised by the US Government.