Al Jazeera Journalists arrested in Egypt

Six Al Jazeera Journalists have been arrested in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Writing on Twitter, Correspondent Dan Nolan said: “Arrested by military.”

“4 soldiers entered room took our camera. We are under military arrest.”

Later adding: “Unsure if arrested or about to be deported. 6 of us held at army checkpoint outside Hilton hotel. Equipment seized too.”

Yesterday, the state-run Mena news agency reported that the information ministry had ordered “suspension of operations of Al Jazeera, cancelling of its licenses and withdrawing accreditation to all its staff, as of today”.

The channel immediately denounced the closure, but insisted that it would carry on regardless. “Al Jazeera sees this as an act designed to stifle and repress the freedom of reporting by the network and its journalists,” a statement said.

“In this time of deep turmoil and unrest in Egyptian society it is imperative that voices from all sides be heard. The closing of our bureau by the Egyptian government is aimed at censoring and silencing the voices of the Egyptian people. “

Update 2:30pm: The Six Al Jazeera journalists have now been released, however; their camera equipment remains confiscated by the military.