Christiane Amanpour on CNN International defends imprisoned Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt.

Christiane Amanpour on Amanpour on CNN International (DStv 401) on Tuesday night got into a heated discussion on television as she defended imprisoned journalists from Al Jazeera (DStv 406 / StarSat 401).

During an extremely testy interview as she tried to get Naguib Sawaris, the former chairman of Orascom in Egypt, to answer her basic questions, Christiane Amanpour stood up for journalism and journalists jailed and prevented from doing their work in Egypt.

"Three of my colleagues are in jail for doing their job," said Christiane Amanpour during the interview with Naguib Sawaris.

"There are three journalists - at least right now - from international news organisations, including a former CNN'er, who are accused of terrorism. And this is simply being thrown out to tar anybody who disagrees."

"Do they have valid permits to work as correspondents in Egypt?" asked Naguib Sawaris.

"Mister Sawaris, yes of course they do. My question to you is this going to continue this way?" said Christiane Amanpour.

"Are you referring to Al Jazeera delegates in Cairo?"

A audibly irritated Christiane Amanpour, like a head mistress with years of wisdom who knows that patience and calm are virtues when dressing down a rebellious child or doing live interviews, gathered herself.

"Mister Sawaris ... I'm referring to journalists who've been arrested. Because of the work they've been doing. And the opinions that they've either expressed or not. But they're considered enemies of the state. This is a bigger problem which I'm trying to get you to answer," said Christiane Amanpour.

"Mister Sawaris, I also happen to know how this works, and anytime a journalist is in trouble, allegations are made against them, such as they don't have a permit. Lets move beyond the technicalities because they are sitting in jail right now."

Naguib Sawaris launched into a rant against Al Jazeera, saying "I would invite you to watch Al Jazeera. They're doing an incitement trip against Egypt. They're falsifying facts. They're making up stories. And they're acting to disturb."

"Egyptians are really shocked at the lowliness of the level of Al Jazeera that gone to. It's not like that these people are like you trying to be correct or show the truth. They're out fabricating stories. And the minimum they should have done is getting a permit for that," said Naguib Sawaris.

Christiane Amanpour clearly had enough.

"These are allegations which they've obviously denied and we deny it on behalf of our colleagues as well," she said.