Sana'a, Yemen - A Yemeni court on Saturday annulled a decree by Information Minister Hassan al-Lawzi to close one of the country's top opposition newspapers.

The minister had issued a decree cancelling the licence of the al- Wasat weekly on April 5, citing violations against "national unity."

The decree had said the withdrawal of the paper's licence was "due to its publication of materials prohibited by the law and against the national unity."

But now Chief judge of the West Sana'a Court Muhammad al-Qadhi said the minister "lacked jurisdiction to cancel the newspaper's licence."

He further ordered the Information Ministry to pay 50,000 rials (about 250 dollars) to the newspaper as legal fees.

The minister's decree accused the paper of "undermining the country's highest interests through harming the warm relations with brotherly countries."

It did not name any country, but al-Wasat has been frequently accused by state media of harming Yemen's ties with its oil-rich neighbour Saudi Arabia.

It was the first time a licence of a newspaper had been suspended since 1990, when North and South Yemen were reunified.

After the reunification, the country introduced more freedom for the press, and dozens of independent and opposition newspapers were established.

Established in 2004, al-Wasat is known for its critical coverage of Saudi Arabia as well as sensitive political issues, particularly the government corruption.

Yemeni press and publications law prohibits the dissemination of any material seen as harming the national unity or ties with Arab countries. (dpa)