BBC in news deal with Arabic TV

Al Jazeera has obtained Bin Laden videos before

The BBC has signed a deal to exchange stories with the Arabic television news channel al-Jazeera.

The BBC deal also means the broadcasters will share each other's facilities.

Independent station al-Jazeera has a reputation for winning exclusives from the region, including footage of Osama Bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, the organisation accused of plotting the 11 September attacks.

The news channel is also the most watched TV station in the Middle East.

The BBC's head of newsgathering, Adrian Van-Klaveren said the deal would benefit audiences worldwide.

"Al-Jazeera has established itself as a major international broadcaster," Mr Van-Klaveren said.

"By working alongside them in our newsgathering activities, we will be able to provide an even more comprehensive service to the BBC's audiences both in the UK and around the world."

Under the agreement the BBC could use al-Jazeera's satellite in Kabul, the Afghan capital.

Internet advice

The BBC has made a similar deal in the past with ABC news in the US.

The two broadcasters are also discussing plans for al-Jazeera's English-language internet site.

The site aims to launch next month, and the BBC could end up overseeing the project and providing training and safety advice.

Al-Jazeera became well known in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks in the US through its exclusive footage of videotapes of Osama Bin Laden and his al-Qaeda terror network.