Syria's second privately owned newspaper hit news stands Sunday, setting out to be a "neutral," nonpolitical journal with a focus on the country's economy, the weekly's editor in chief told the Associated Press.
Press laws, which have been relaxed since President Bashar Al Assad took over Syria's reins after the June 2000 death of his father, Hafez Assad, now allow newspapers without political affiliations to be published in the country, said the AP.
Editor Waddah Abed-Rabbu, who also owns 52 percent of the new 16-page Al Eqtissadeya, or The Economist, said in an editorial that his paper would be "neutral" and "not tackle political issues."
"But it would rather focus on national, Arab, and international economies ... (and) shed the light on the most prominent economical problems and challenges facing Syria," he said.
In February, the now popular satirical Al Domari, or the Lamplighter, was launched, becoming Syria's first private newspaper since the ruling Baath Party took power in 1963.
But its editor, Ali Farzat, has recently complained that this week’s issue was banned due to an article criticizing the government’s performance. Syrian authorities have denied the accusation – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
