US commander slams Arab TV stations for ''false reporting'' on Iraq

Published April 13th, 2004 - 03:00 GMT

Commander of US forces in Iraq has accused two Arab television stations of "lying" about American attacks in Fallujah.

Army General John Abizaid denounced Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya for broadcasting what he claimed were "false reports" of American troops deliberately targeting civilians in Fallujah.

"They have not been truthful in their reporting," Abizaid said of the two Arab television stations. "They haven't been accurate. And it is absolutely clear that American forces are doing their very best to protect civilians and at the same time get at the military targets there."

Al-Jazeera spokesman Jihad Ballout said the station had also interviewed American officials "to be as balanced as possible." The station had an early advantage because it was the only news organization present in Fallujah during the first days of the recent fighting, he said.

"I don't think pictures lie. We have tried to be as comprehensive as possible," Ballout said from the station's headquarters in Qatar.

Meanwhile, in Dubai, Al-Arabiya's editor-in-chief Salah Negm said his station was doing its job properly despite working under difficult conditions. "We know that Iraq is a free country and we are practicing the responsible freedom of the press that covers all sides of the story," he said. (Albawaba.com)