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Twitter briefly suspends Al-Jazeera Arabic amid Qatar rift

Twitter briefly suspends Al-Jazeera Arabic amid Qatar rift

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

A 3D-printed logo for Twitter is seen in this picture illustration on January 26, 2016. Photo: Reuters

DUBAI: Social media platform Twitter briefly suspended the account of Al-Jazeera Arabic amid a wider diplomatic dispute between Qatar and Arab nations. Twitter later reinstated the account Saturday, a move that comes after Arab nations have blocked websites and broadcasts by Doha-based Al-Jazeera. Another Al-Jazeera Arabic account described the move as part of an 'organised campaign' targeting it. Al-Jazeera has said it has come under cyberattack as well amid the diplomatic crisis. San Francisco-based Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Among its top investors is Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a member of the kingdom's royal family. Saudi Arabia has led other Arab nations in cutting diplomatic ties to Qatar on June 5 over allegations the nation supports extremists. Qatar long has denied that.