The Independent has apologised to the Saudi minister of the interior Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud for alleging in an April report that he had ordered his security forces to show no mercy and to use live rounds on unarmed demonstrators.

The report – by veteran middle east correspondent Robert Fisk – quoted an order reported to have been issued by Prince Nayef, but today's apology acknowledges that the order was a forgery.

"Although the essay was published in good faith, we now accept that the 'order' in question is in fact a forgery, and that Prince Nayef did not issue any such order. We apologise sincerely to Prince Nayef for the damage and embarrassment which our reporting of it has caused him."

Fisk was singled out in June by the acting press and foreign media director of Saudi Arabia's neighbour Bahrain, who accused the correspondent and the Independent of "orchestrating a defamatory and premeditated media campaign" against both countries.

Nawaf Mohammed Al-Maawda hired a UK-based law firm and signalled his intention to sue the Independent over Fisk's reports.

UK law prevents local and national governments from suing however, and it is believed that no legal action was taken.