25/01/2011 Once again, the Lebanese media had to pay the price…
The “Day of Rage”, organized by former PM Saad Hariri’s Future movement, was not about “spontaneous rallies and demonstrations” to protest the failure of Hariri to return to the Grand Serail.
Instead, it was a day of organized attacks on the media, dignities, stores and offices. Hariri’s supporters, who took to the streets, didn’t hesitate to block roads, set buildings on fire, shout slogans of incitement and fire gunshots.
During this black day, Hariri’s supporters’ main targets were reporters and the Lebanese Armed Forces. They set upon Al-Jazeera channel’s SNG vehicle, smashing its windshield and tearing down the satellite dish before setting it on fire. They attacked media crews belonging to OTV and NBN local channels. They also tossed a hand grenade at the Lebanese army outside Tariq Jadideh, the Beirut stronghold of the Future movement.
FLAGRANT ASSAULT ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
The head of the Information and Telecommunications parliamentary committee MP Hasan Fadlallah condemned the attacks on media crews as a flagrant assault on the principle of freedom of expression, guaranteed by the law and the Constitution. “It represents a dangerous behavior to silence the media and prevent it of covering facts,” he added in a statement. He condemned the attacks against the reporters and expressed complete solidarity with them and with their right to assume their professional responsibilities without pressure and intimidation.
RIGHT TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITIES WITHOUT INTIMIDATION
For his part, Information Minister in the caretaker government Tarek Mitri condemned the attacks on reporters and cameramen by Hariri’s supporters. He called on security forces to protect the journalists while assuming their responsibilities. He called on media representatives, regardless of their political opinions, to express solidarity with themselves to prevent the politicians of exploiting them.
SCANDALOUS DAY IN TRIPOLI’S HISTORY
Meanwhile, the head of the Lebanese Popular Conference Kamal Shatila told Al-Manar Website that the Future movement ‘militia’ turned the “Day of Rage” against the appointment of Najib Mikati as Prime Minister to a “Day of violent riots” in the capital Beirut and other areas. “This is a scandalous day, a day of popular bankruptcy,” he said. He noted that three lawmakers out of five representing Tripoli named Mikati for the PM post, which signals that he represents the people of Tripoli. “Despite all incitement and mobilization, only 5 % of Tripoli people had participated in the demonstrations,” he said. “Hariri is seeking to engage the Sunnis into the American project,” he pointed out.
PEACEFUL PROTEST?!
National Broadcast Network (NBN) television CEO Kassem Soueid told Al-Manar Website that attacks on media people were rejected. “Future movement’s supporters attacked today one of the NBN journalists and they insulted her,” he said. Soueid also condemned the so-called “peaceful” protest, stressing that the demonstrators were armed.
The station’s reporter Rasha Al-Zein added that the protestors attacked her while she was covering the incidents taking place in the Cola region, near Tariq Jdideh, and that they even tried to take her veil off.
PROTESTS NOT SPONTANEOUS
Islamic Labor Front coordinator Sheikh Zuhair Joaid told Al-Manar Website that the protests were neither spontaneous nor popular. He held responsibility those who called for the “Day of Rage” and stressed that PM-designate Najib Mikati represent the Sunnis. “Hariri urges people to demonstrate and protest and they portrays himself as innocent, hold them responsible and assail them,” he said.
WHO REPRESENTS SUNNIS?
The head of the Beirut Dignity Union Sheikh Khaled Othman said that those who took part in the “scandalous day of rage” do not represent Sunnis. “If Sunnis were targeted, all of Lebanon would react,” he said. Othman told Al-Manar Website that what happened was purely sectarian incitement. He also condemned assault against journalists and called on “the people” to learn from their experiences. “The premiership cannot be Hariri’s ownership,” he concluded.
Tripoli’s prominent politician and pro-Omar Karameh figure Dr. Khaldoun As-Sharif told Al-Manar Website that the riots which took place in Tripoli do not represent at all the spirit of the north capital’s people. He emphasized that whoever attacks the media attacks himself. “Tripoli is very sad to see what has happened,” As-Sharif said. “Today’s picture doesn’t resemble Tripoli at all,” he added. “Peaceful demonstrations are part of the democratic life. However, riots are not.”
Uprooted Palestinian
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