Rapid TV News reports that Turkey’s TRT started its all-Arabic service last week on April 5th. TRT Director-General Ibrahim Sahin said that TRT's new channel "would enable Turkey and Arab countries to know each other directly and better". The TV channel would reach 350 million people throughout the Arab world through 3 satellites.

The channel has as its symbol a cup of ‘Turkish’ coffee, a common delight for both Turks and Arabs.

"The TRT Arabic will be on air for 24 hours a day. We will broadcast a range of programmes from politics to sports, from movies to TV series. Istanbul-based channel will also broadcast live from Cairo, Beirut, Damascus and Ankara," he added.

Turkey’s prime minister Recep Erdogan, said: “Perhaps, mines had been planted in the past and walls had been erected between our countries. Today, we have the will to say that no one will be able to plant the seeds of division between us.” Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Aranç said that Turkish and Arabic people are like “fingers on one hand.”

TRT’s Arabic channel is being carried on Noorsat, at the Arabsat location of 25.5 deg East, and from the Nilesat location at 7 deg West.