04/11/2002 06:43 AM Reuters

Kuwait has closed down the local office of Arabic satellite television channel al-Jazeera for alleged lack of objectivity in its coverage of the Gulf Arab state, a senior government official said.

"The reason is lack of professionalism and neutrality when dealing with Kuwaiti issues," the official told Reuters on Sunday.

"The Ministry of Information has informed al-Jazeera of the decision, which is due to their lack of objectivity and I would like to stress Kuwait's belief in democracy and freedom," the official said.

Jazeera's office in Kuwait confirmed it was notified of the Kuwaiti decision on Sunday.

The Qatar-based Jazeera is one of the most popular in the Arab world. It gained notoriety during the US-led campaign in Afghanistan by broadcasting videotaped messages from Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda officials, Washington's main suspects in last year's September 11 attacks on the United States.

Jazeera correspondents have been expelled from several Arab countries for their hard-hitting reporting which is a rarity in this conservative region where most media is state-controlled.

Gulf sources said last month that Gulf Arab ministers have warned Jazeera to tone down its controversial programming or face boycott.

Qatar, a political maverick in the Gulf, says Jazeera is a thorn in its side but has refused to curb the channel, citing freedom of expression.

-- Anonymous, November 03, 2002