DESIGNATION OF AL-MANAR TELEVISION, THE LEBANESE

S E C R E T KUWAIT 000999 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016 TAGS: PTER ASEC ETTC KU SUBJECT: DESIGNATION OF AL-MANAR TELEVISION, THE LEBANESE MEDIA GROUP AND AL-NOUR RADIO REF: STATE 44261 Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) (S) DCM conveyed reftel demarche points to MFA Director General for American Affairs Ambassador Khalid Babtain on March 21. Babtain expressed thanks for prior notification of the U.S. action and said it was no surprise given earlier senior-level discussion with the Foreign Minister on Al-Manar and ArabSat. He said he was not well enough informed about ArabSat governance to comment on action the GOK might take with respect to removing Al-Manar and Al-Nour from ArabSat, but he promised to pass the information to the Minister. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * LEBARON