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Bahrain Lifts Ban Preventing Newspaper From Posting Online

by Associated Press

   DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES --

   Bahraini authorities have lifted a ban preventing independent newspaper
   Al-Wasat from publishing online.

   The official Bahrain News Agency said Thursday that the newspaper would
   be allowed to post material following a decision by the Ministry of
   Information.

   It gave no details for the move, but warned that all media outlets must
   avoid "posting anything that incites divisions or discord within the
   community, undermines national unity or disturbs peace."

   Authorities issued the ban Monday, following a spike in anti-government
   protests led by the country's Shiite majority against the Sunni
   monarchy.

   Al-Wasat is widely seen as the only independent newspaper in Bahrain,
   which hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. The paper has been ordered shut
   twice since an Arab Spring-inspired uprising erupted in 2011.