The British television presenter, Robert Kilroy-Silk has apologised for a newspaper article in which he made anti-Arab comments. According to the BBC website, he said he greatly regretted the offence caused by the Sunday Express article, which was written in April but "republished last weekend in error".
In his article, Kilroy-Silk branded Arabs "suicide bombers, limb amputators, women repressors" and asked what they had given to the world other than oil.
Earlier, the BBC suspended the Kilroy show while it investigates the matter.
The British corporation stressed the comments did not reflect its views as a broadcaster.
On its part, The Daily Express defended the article in its sister paper, accusing the BBC of "attempting to stifle open debate".
In his statement, Kilroy-Silk said: "I greatly regret the offence which has been caused by the article published in last weekend's Sunday Express."
Kilroy-Silk said the article had not prompted such an outcry the first time it was published, adding it was "not what I would have said today".
"It was originally written as a response to the views of opponents to the war in Iraq that Arab States 'loathe' the West and my piece referred to 'Arab States' rather than 'Arabs'," he said.
"Out of that context, it has obviously caused great distress and offence and I can only reiterate that I very deeply regret that." (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
