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Bin Laden arrest "joke" causes uproar in Lebanon
AFP/Yahoo ^
| Fri Jan 23,10:02 AM ET
Posted on 01/23/2004 3:47:14 PM PST by martin_fierro
Bin Laden arrest "joke" causes uproar in Lebanon
Fri Jan 23,10:02 AM ET
BEIRUT (AFP) - A television station caused panic in official circles by reporting the arrest in Lebanon of terror mastermind Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) ... before admitting the announcement was a "joke" in a comedy show.
"A wide security operation is taking place for the arrest of an important wanted Arab personality," journalist Bassam Abu Zeid announced late Thursday on an urgent broadcast on the private Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI).
In a second "flash" interrupting the weekly political satire show "Bass Mat Watan," the journalist reported that "bin Laden has been arrested in the attic" of former prime minister Omar Karame in the northern city of Tripoli.
Abu Zeid finally explained that the announcement was a joke and part of the comedy show whose name in Arabic can mean either "the nation is dead" or "the smiles of the nation."
During the announcements, the word "lie" appeared at the upper right angle of the screen instead of the term "live" that is usually used for news flashes.
The incident caused alarm among officials attending a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri for visiting Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos, an AFP correspondent said.
Tension subsided at the dinner after it was confirmed that the LBCI announcement was part of a comedy show.
Al-Mustaqbal daily newspaper, owned by Hariri, said Friday the incident was a "bad joke" that kept LBCI audiences on the edge for half an hour.
The daily said Abdel Hadi Mahfuz, head of the National Audiovisual Council, would summon the council for an urgent meeting to to discuss the incident that "raised wide condemnation."
"This joke harms the state's image and authority and shakes stability," Mahfuz was quoted as saying.
TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: binladen; captured; joke; lebanon
To: martin_fierro
Gotta love those zany Lebanonese...what a riot!
2
posted on
01/23/2004 3:50:21 PM PST
by
mystery-ak
(Almighty God, Embrace with Your invincible armour our loved ones in all branches of the service.)
To: martin_fierro
'part of the comedy show whose name in Arabic can mean either "the nation is dead" or "the smiles of the nation."'
Oh brother...
3
posted on
01/23/2004 3:52:42 PM PST
by
Bogey78O
(Why are we even having this debate?)
To: martin_fierro
. . . the word "lie" appeared at the upper right angle of the screen instead of the term "live" . . . Just asking . . . Is this broadcast in English?
To: martin_fierro
"The incident caused alarm among officials attending a dinner . . . "
Caused ALARM?
To: martin_fierro
Someone should ping the people at
Northeast Terror Network as they're still running a story from yesterday on OBL capture rumors.
6
posted on
01/23/2004 3:56:53 PM PST
by
lelio
To: martin_fierro
Figures that dead and smile would be synonymous.
7
posted on
01/23/2004 4:01:12 PM PST
by
doodad
To: martin_fierro; Dog
ROFL!!
8
posted on
01/23/2004 4:01:36 PM PST
by
Ernest_at_the_Beach
(The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got!!!!)
To: martin_fierro
I guess Danny Thomas and Jamie Farr aren't the only Lebanese with a sense of humor.
9
posted on
01/23/2004 4:02:47 PM PST
by
Sloth
("I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!" -- Jacobim Mugatu, 'Zoolander')
To: lelio
Would that it was true!!!! (it shall be someday!)
For all we know Osama might be hiding in New York City--shave his beard and he would blend in. He will be found--25 million dollars is just too tempting.
10
posted on
01/23/2004 4:04:10 PM PST
by
Hollywoodghost
(Let he who would be free strike the first blow)
To: Old Grumpy
"The incident caused alarm among officials attending a dinner . . . "
Caused ALARM?
I guess BL could implicate them.
11
posted on
01/23/2004 4:04:54 PM PST
by
gitmo
(Who is John Galt?)
To: doodad
Does this mean that they smile as they slit your throat?
To: martin_fierro
Tomorrow, "War of the Worlds"
13
posted on
01/23/2004 4:32:14 PM PST
by
HarleyD
(READ Your Bible-STUDY to show yourself approved)
Comment #14 Removed by Moderator
To: HarleyD
Tomorrow, "War of the Worlds" Ladies and Gentlemen, I have a grave announcement to make. Incredible as it may seem, Osama bin Laden has been arrested at a 7-11 in Grovers Mill, New Jersey. - Tom
15
posted on
01/23/2004 5:25:00 PM PST
by
Capt. Tom
(Don't confuse the Bushies with the dumb republicans. - Capt. Tom)
To: Hollywoodghost
For all we know Osama might be hiding in New York City--shave his beard and he would blend in. He will be found--25 million dollars is just too tempting.
Without the beard he'd be as recognizable as Billy Gibbons without his.
16
posted on
01/23/2004 5:25:17 PM PST
by
Damagro
To: LibWhacker
Just asking . . . Is this broadcast in English? Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. Something doesn't "read" "write".
To: LibWhacker
Just asking . . . Is this broadcast in English? Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. Something doesn't "read" "write".
To: martin_fierro
During the announcements, the word "lie" appeared at the upper right angle of the screen instead of the term "live" that is usually used for news flashes. Clever wankers...
19
posted on
01/23/2004 5:34:55 PM PST
by
in the Arena
(1st Lt. James W. Herrick, Jr., - MIA - Laos - 27 October 69 "Fire Fly 33")
To: lelio
>>Someone should ping the people at Northeast Terror Network as they're still running a story from yesterday on OBL capture rumors.<<
Oh, heck, better ping the nut-burgers at DU, as they are all convicned we have OBL as well. October Surprise, don't ya know.
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