Beirut, Jan. 23 (AFP): A television station caused panic in official circles by reporting the arrest in Lebanon of Osama bin Laden, before admitting the announcement was a “joke” in a comedy show.

“A wide security operation is taking place for the arrest of an important wanted Arab personality,” journalist Bassam Abu Zeid announced late last night on an urgent broadcast on the private Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International.

In a second “flash”, the journalist reported that “bin Laden has been arrested in the attic” of former Prime Minister Omar Karame’s house in Tripoli. Abu Zeid finally explained that the announcement was a joke and part of the comedy show.