US-backed council bars Arab media

Iraq's Governing Council said on Tuesday the al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya stations were prohibited from covering official activities in Iraq for two weeks. It said the action was taken as a warning to broadcasters who incite anti-US violence.

US officials have accused Qatar-based al-Jazeera and Dubai-based al-Arabiya of giving too much prominence to anti-US attacks and providing a forum for backers of ousted President Saddam Hussein.