The International Olympic Committee has signed a deal for 20 Arab states to broadcast the 2014 Sochi Olympics and Summer Games in 2016, the IOC said on Thursday.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Arab States Broadcast Union (ASBU) members _ including Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates _ agreed to give a minimum of 200 hours' exposure for the 2016 Olympics and a daily 52-minute highlights at prime time for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, the IOC said.

They have acquired the rights across all broadcast platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile phones in the following territories: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

"The ASBU has been the IOC's broadcast partner in the region since 1976." IOC President Jacques Rogge said in a statement. "We are delighted to be able to extend our partnership ... for a further four years."

The IOC will choose the 2016 Olympics host at a vote in October. The candidates cities are Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.

Source: Xinhua