Egypt Bans Arabic Broadcaster Al-Jazeera

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The pan-Arab broadcaster Al-Jazeera says Egyptian authorities are ordering the closure of its offices covering the street protests in Cairo and elsewhere.

The Qatar-based network has given nearly round-the-clock coverage to the uprising against the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Al-Jazeera's flagship Arabic channel is considered by some as a possible forum to inspire demonstrators. It also broadcasts in English.

A statement by Al-Jazeera on Sunday called Egypt's decision an act "designed to stifle and repress" open reporting.

The network has frequently been at odds with authorities in the Middle East, previously facing bans or restrictions in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Editor's note: Al-Jazeera is continuing to post reports, images and video from Egypt -- including this video of military jets flying over Cairo on Sunday.