In a shift, Gulf media outlets broadcast Syria's Assad speech on earthquake
Saudi, Emirati and other TV stations in the region typically do not broadcast the Syrian president’s speeches, but relations have slightly improved and Gulf states have sent aid to Syria following the earthquake.
Several Arab Gulf outlets, some owned by the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), broadcast a speech by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Thursday. The move signals a shift, especially in Saudi-owned media coverage, after years of going dark and refraining from any broadcast of Assad's televised addresses.
Assad delivered the speech at around 1 p.m. ET on the state of the country following the earthquake.
The Saudi news outlets Al-Arabiya and Asharq broadcast the speech, as did the UAE state-owned Sky News Arabia. Other outlets from Iraq, Yemen and elsewhere also showed the speech.
In his remarks, Assad thanked the “sisterly and friendly states” that provided aid to Syria following the earthquake.
