Iraqi satellite TV back on air

Iraqi state-run television was back on air today, several hours after disappearing amid allied air strikes.

Domestic state TV was off the air at the time off the raids on Baghdad, and began broadcasting again as scheduled at 6am Irish time. State radio was also broadcasting.

The signal from Iraqi Satellite TV, which broadcasts 24 hours a day outside Iraq, went off the air around 4.30am (1.30 Irish time), but resumed about eight hours later.

But there was no sign of any broadcasts from Al-Shabab television, the station owned by Saddam’s son Uday. It is normally transmitted from the state television building.

Thick smoke rose from the television building on the west bank of the Tigris, which appeared to have been hit by two or three missiles.

Amnesty International warned that the bombing of the television channel could be a breach of the Geneva Conventions.