Morocco's public broadcaster SNRT (SociГ©tГ© Nationale de Radiodiffusion et TГ©lГ©vision) became the latest shareholder of Euronews, acquiring a 0,33% stake in the holding company to join the 22 existing shareholders from Europe and the Mediterranean.

The catalyst for the arrival of the new Moroccan shareholder was the introduction on July 12 of an eighth language to Euronews, Arabic, SNRT reported.

"I am pleased to welcome SNRT, whose Managing Director, Sir Ayad, was beside us when we launched in Arabic at the Arab World Institute in July, to the Euronews fold. SNRT will be instrumental in promoting Euronews in Arabic. Together with Morocco and our other Arabic partners, we will continue to develop the channel and contribute to strengthening the ties between Europe and the Mediterranean region," Philippe Cayla, Chairman and CEO of Euronews said.

Launched in January 1993 in five languages, Euronews broadcasts round-the-clock in eight languages simultaneously: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (1999), Russian (2001) and Arabic (2008).