Egypt media company removes Khamenei billboards

An Egyptian security source confirmed to Al Arabiya the removal of a billboard displaying the Iranian Supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, the move came amid resentment towards the image from al Azhar.

The official said another billboard for Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was also removed alongside Khamenei’s.

The billboards have been placed around the streets of Cairo, as part of an advertising campaign for “al Ghad al Arabi” satellite channel.

Abdul Latif al Minaawi, Chief Executive of al “Ghad” channel acknowledged the removal of the billboards saying they were part of an advertising campaign for one of the television programs.

Al Minaawi said in a statement: “The channel aimed to deliver a specific message to demonstrate Iran ambition in the Gulf.”

Another source from the channel explained the controversial billboard saying Khamenei’s one showing him with Gulf countries capital in the background is to reflect Iran’s ambitions in these countries.

And according to the source Erdogan, whose dream it is to revive the Othman empire, appeared on a throne, while behind him were his opponents behind bars, to exhibit the oppression of the opposition in Turkey, according to the source.

Other journalists working for the channel told Al Arabiya, the: “designs of the advertisement were misunderstood.”

This story was first published in Arabic on AlArabiya.net