The propaganda arm of the global jihad is preparing to launch an English version: Al Jazeera aims to go global - in English.

And they’ve paid off some Westerners to shill for them.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Five years after Al Jazeera shot to public attention during the US invasion of Afghanistan, the Arab broadcaster is preparing to make more waves this spring when it launches a new channel - this time in English.

“A lot of people ask me if we’re aiming at English-speaking Muslims,” says Steve Clark, the new channel’s director of news. “But we actually want to appeal to the whole English-speaking world and those who speak English as a second language.”

The new channel, called Al Jazeera International, will begin broadcasting in late spring, offering a mix of hourly news bulletins and longer reports, bankrolled, like the original station, by the emir of the Persian Gulf state of Qatar.

UPDATE at 3/14/06 8:15:24 am:

Meanwhile, the BBC has hired an Al Jazeera mouthpiece to run their Arabic television service: BBC appoints Arabic TV News Editor. (Hat tip: Clubbeaux.)

BBC World Service has appointed a News Editor for its Arabic Television Service to be launched in 2007, it was announced today (March 14). He’s Salah Negm, 50, a former BBC programme Editor, currently General Manager with the Middle East Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) in Dubai. His wide editorial and management experience in the region also includes working as Director of News after the launch of the Al Arabiyah satellite channel and roles with the satellite broadcaster, Al Jazeera.

“I’m very excited about re-joining the BBC to help launch and run its Arabic TV service,” says Salah. “It’s the best job in broadcasting for me - a chance to use my experience as a journalist to offer a television audience throughout the Middle East a news and information service in Arabic informed by the BBC values of accuracy, independence and impartiality.”