Local Editor

The Saudi Embassy in Beirut and its local agents are carrying out a systematic campaign to terrify Lebanese media, and its last episode was the condemned and unjustified objection against Lebanon's TV broadcasting of Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah's interview with the Syrian al-Ekhbariya.

In face of this campaign, it concerns us to clarify the following:

1. What Lebanon TV has thankfully done is only a small step in the right direction towards becoming a balanced, fair and professional media channel, representing the state as well as the Lebanese society with all its components and trends. We had earlier protested to the channel's board by presenting a long list of events and facts that include live coverage of news, programs and speakers, reflecting the bias of the channel toward the rival political camp, away from partnership and balance accounts.

2. There is no excuse for the rude objection to Lebanon's TV move, because the channel did not commit a precedent by broadcasting the interview with Hizbullah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. It broadcasted interviews with other figures from a variety of media channels in the past, including an interview with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri with CNN and with Future TV, as well as other incidents that can't be neglected.

3. The claim that Lebanon TV coordinated with Syrian al-Ekhbariya and that this is against the so-called "self-distace" policy adopted by the Lebanese government is nothing but mere lies and tenuous justification. Lebanon's TV management only coordinated with al-Manar TV to receive the frequency and air the interview as the latter provides all media channels with this service for free whenever His Eminence has a speech or interview.

4. Saudi Arabia, which does not stand criticism or disagreement, and which totally bans freedom of speech and publication, is carrying through its embassy in Beirut a campaign of intimidation, threats and persuasion and pressure against the Lebanese government and media. We have a great confidence that this strong media will survive in face of temptation, financial corruption, and organized ugly threat.

5. The main issue that provoked the wrath of Saudi Arabia and its rulers, leading to a relentless campaign of responses and attitudes, and mobilizing the ambassadors of kingdom, its allies and media, is that Hizbullah Secretary-General His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, with what he represents from values and principles, and with all the respect and deep appreciation he enjoys in the Arab and Muslim worlds, had exposed the Saudi aggression against Yemen. He also unveiled the level of massacres against innocent civilians, amid the silence of the Arab and West, bought by Saudi's money and influence, exerting all its potential to purchase the dead consciences. The kingdom used all of its defamation tools, promises and warnings to do so. We believe that the time will not be long before more of free and honest votes rise in face of aggression, hegemony and domination.

Source: Hizbullah Media Relations, Translated and Edited by website team