Egyptian authorities have deported a popular British-Lebanese television talkshow host, Liliane Daoud.
Ms Daoud, a former BBC journalist, was detained by plainclothes policemen at her home in Cairo on Monday and put on a plane to Beirut.
The move came hours after her contract was terminated by privately-owned OnTV.
Her show, Al-Soura Al-Kamila (The Full Picture), controversially aired views critical of President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and his government.
Mr Sisi has cracked down on dissent since leading the military's overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.
'Campaign against free journalism'
Ms Daoud's 10-year-old daughter, an Egyptian national, was at their home when her mother was led away by police. Officers reportedly confiscated Ms Daoud's mobile phone and British passport.
There was no formal explanation for Ms Daoud's deportation, but a security official told the Associated Press (AP) that her residency permit had expired.
Shortly before her arrest, Ms Daoud had written on Twitter: "I am announcing the official termination of my contract with OnTV after five years that began in 2011."
Ms Daoud's lawyer, Zyad el-Elaimy, said her first comment after landing in Beirut was that she would challenge the decision.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-36649781
