in 1996, the lebanese government granted broadcasting licenses to only five television stations, not including al-manar. approximately 50 stations were forced to close at the time. several stations appealed the government's decision, but only four of them were finally granted licenses, one of which was al-manar. on 18 september, the lebanese cabinet decided to grant al-manar a license after having been requested to do so by then syrian president hafiz al-asad. al-manar received the license in july 1997.