RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The television network Al Arab appeared well equipped to muscle its way into the Middle East’s crowded market of satellite news channels: top talent, backing from a fabulously rich Saudi prince and permission to broadcast from the island kingdom of Bahrain.

But less than a day after it began, the channel suspended broadcasting on Monday, apparently forced to stop by the authorities in Bahrain after it gave airtime to an opposition leader who criticized a recent government decision.

“The broadcast has been stopped for technical and administrative reasons, and we’ll be back soon, God willing,” the channel said on its Twitter feed.

The truncated debut of Al Arab’s broadcast is the most recent collision of the efforts by the Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf to portray themselves as open to the outside world while drastically limiting freedom of speech and political rights at home.