Slap in the face for Lebanese press

By Zeina Khodr

According to a source close to Al-Hrawi, the president felt insulted by Sabra's call to follow the usual legal channels. "I do not need lessons in law," the president was quoted as saying.

What is being dubbed "the slap" dominated the front pages of Lebanon's dailies. There were mixed reactions on the street. "The president is known to be hot tempered. He was probably frustrated by the fact that the chances for an extension of his mandate are low," 34-year old John Boulous, an employee, said. "Sabra pushed his luck," 23-year-old Mirna Dibsi said. "He constantly criticises the authorities in a way that has provoked Al-Hrawi." Al-Hrawi was reportedly angered by a number of articles in Ash-Shiraa that vehemently criticised his proposal to permit the option of civil marriage in Lebanon.

The slap provoked an outcry from the media, where it was described as "a slap to the freedom of the press in Lebanon."

As mediation efforts ensued, the executive committees of the Press Federation and the Journalists' Union met under the chairmanship of their respective presidents, Mohamed Baalbeki and Melhem Karam. "We condemn the incident and regard it as a threat to democratic life in Lebanon," the groups said in a statement after a four-hour meeting. "It has damaged the relationship between state institutions and the news media. We believe what happened was a disgraceful chapter in the history of this relationship," the statement added.

The two groups warned they would call for a strike and take other measures unless Al-Hrawi apologised. "The Lebanese press expects a courageous initiative from the president in order to rectify the damage done, "the statement said. "This will safeguard the honour and dignity of the press and of the head of state. We have decided temporarily to shelve suggestions to call for a strike, boycott official functions, press charges or take any further measures pending the outcome of mediation..."

Sources close to Al-Hrawi said the president had no intention of reaching a compromise because he considered the matter personal and, as such, not to be construed to mean animosity on his side towards the media. "The dispute is a personal issue and is not related to the media," MP Georges Kasardji told reporters after meeting Al-Hrawi. Kasardji criticised the Press Federation and the Journalists' Union for demanding an apology from the president. "Does Sabra have the right to overstep his bounds and criticise the president?" Kasardji asked.

Officials have remained tight-lipped about the dispute but it was clear Al-Hrawi had little backing from the government. The president was forced to keep the matter out of last week's cabinet session. Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri had persuaded Al-Hrawi to drop his demand that the cabinet denounce the media's criticism of his conduct towards Sabra. Most ministers, including Al-Hariri, were reluctant to back Al-Hrawi's demand.

Sabra warned that he intends to file a lawsuit if mediation efforts failed to bear fruit. "I have plans to take the president to both the court that tries presidents, prime ministers and ministers, and the court of first instance," Sabra was quoted as saying. "But right now, I am waiting for the president to respond to the calls made by media bodies for him to take the initiative."

Baalbeki said the press groups had agreed that an "honest and just judiciary should remain the authority that decides on violations by the news media." He added that although several publications, including Ash-Shiraa, had been taken to court, the media had never objected to rulings in this regard. Ash-Shiraa was fined five million Lebanese pounds earlier this year for libeling the president.

A legal expert said Sabra could have chosen to drag Al-Hrawi into court because presidential immunity does not cover offences in the presence of witnesses. However, such cases must go to court within 24 hours; in Sabra's case the deadline had passed. "Sabra can still sue the president but in the court that tries presidents," the expert said. "But the court will not bring Al-Hrawi to trial before his mandate expires later this year."

The opposition daily Ad-Diyar quoted sources close to the president as saying that Al-Hariri is backing Sabra in order to weaken Al-Hrawi's chances of winning another presidential term. The daily added that the president was angered by Al-Hariri's position. The report was categorically denied by a statement issued by the presidential palace. "The report is nothing more than fabrications that attempt to produce one story out of a completely different one," the statement said. "The president and prime minister are not at odds."

Sources close to Al-Hariri also denied the story. "Despite the differences between the cabinet and the president -- which in a democracy is natural -- the prime minister has great appreciation for the president and the historic stances he has taken since he took office. The newspaper's claims could not have been made by the president, but rather by parties that are interested in creating instability."

It remains to be seen which party will back down first. Mediation is expected to continue until the stalemate is broken, because the incident is bound to have far-reaching repercussions on the relationship between the authorities and the press.