DUBAI: Al-Jazeera television has announced its intentions to replace its chief executive officer Mohammed Jassem al-Ali.
A Reuters report quotes spokesman Jihad Ballout as saying that CEO al-Ali, who headed the channel since its launch eight years ago, would remain on the board of directors but would hand over the day-to-day running to someone else.
"Mohammed Jassem al-Ali was seconded from Qatar Television to set up and run Al Jazeera and what has been decided is that this secondment be ceased and for him to go back to his normal job," Ballout was quoted as adding. "Changes take place for various reasons and for Mohammed Jassem al-Ali to remain on the board means that all these rumors and allegations about Jazeera are not taken at face value whatsoever."
A report in the UK's Sunday Times had stated that three Iraqi intelligence agents were working inside al-Jazeera with the aim of gaining favourable coverage. Al-Jazeera, which often aired exclusive material from Iraqi officials during the US-led war, denied the report.
The channel came under fire from the US as well as Iraq and Al-Jazeera correspondents were temporarily banned from the New York Stock Exchange and from reporting in Iraq.
Al-Jazeera gained international renown due to the airing of exclusive audio and video comments from Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) and senior members of al Qaeda, the group blamed for the attacks.