Bahraini authorities have slapped a ban on the printing of the London-based Al-Zaman newspaper on the island for a series of articles criticising Qatar's emir, newspapers reported Thursday.
The criticism of Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani was a violation of the press and publications law, papers quoted officials as saying.
Bahrain, currently being transformed into a constitutional monarchy, is drawing up a new press law as part of that process to "promote freedom of expression".
Information Minister Nabil al-Hamr said Sunday he had received requests from publishers to start up seven new dailies and 10 magazines, in addition to the existing four papers.
Since a decades-old land dispute was resolved by the World Court, Qatar and Bahrain have announced plans to step up financial and economic cooperation as well as links in trade and investments -- AFP
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