Iran shuts al-Arabiya Tehran bureau, network says

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) - Iranian authorities closed Al-Arabiya's Tehran bureau for a week without offering a reason, the Arabic network announced on its Web site Sunday in Arabic and English.

The announcement came on the heels of the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who insisted Sunday his country had a free press.

"There is close to absolute freedom here. (People) can say whatever they like. There are hundreds of dailies published in Iran," he said in a news conference marking his controversial victory over reformist Mir Hossein Moussavi.

Foreign reporters have been blocked at every turn from covering the ensuing protests by Moussavi supporters who claimed ballot fraud.

The government shut down access to networking sites, such as Twitter, and the Web sites of some news organizations - making it difficult for information to seep out to the outside world.

Two female reporters were attacked outside Moussavi's headquarters on Friday, according to Reporters Without Borders.

And CNN producer Samson Desta was hit by a police baton while checking on a demonstration Sunday.