Police arrest Al-Arabiya journalist

Reporters Without Borders voiced concern today about the arrest of journalist Waël Issam of the Dubai-based TV news station Al-Arabiya on 27 March in Baghdad by Iraqi police, who confiscated videotapes containing newly shot footage. "We know that Al-Arabiya's executives are in touch with the interior ministry and are doing their best to obtain the release of their journalist," the press freedom organization said. "We hope this case will be resolved as quickly as possible and that the authorities will present valid reasons to explain their action." Issam, who had been in Iraq for four days, was arrested when he went back to Baghdad airport. He is currently being held in a police station. Agence France-Presse quoted an interior ministry source as saying the seized videotapes included footage shot in the former rebel stronghold of Fallujah. Al-Arabiya did not confirm this. Aged 26, Issam has been working for Al-Arabiya for two years.