Lebanese Ministry of Information
Minister of Information, Attorney Dr. Paul Morcos, on Monday received UNIFIL spokesperson Danny Ghafari, at his Ministry office, in the presence of Chair of the Board of Directors and Director General of Tele Liban, Dr. Elissar Naddaf.
Following the meeting, Minister Morcos said: “We expressed our protest over the attacks taking place, particularly those targeting the UNIFIL forces. We also expressed our sorrow and pain over the repeated and ongoing targeting of civilians, especially journalists, as well as the targeting of UNIFIL forces. On this occasion, we extend our condolences for those who have fallen as martyrs, especially from the United Nations forces, and we condemn the repeated attacks that have been recorded particularly those that occurred today.”
Minister Morcos pointed out that the meeting focused on “protecting journalists and strengthening the mechanism that ensures this protection, despite the significant challenges and difficulties in securing the elements of safety and security for those working in the media and humanitarian fields in threatened areas.”
Morcos concluded, “Mr. Ghafari kindly promised to raise the proposals with the relevant authorities on his side or with any other concerned third parties. We will spare no effort in reaching proposals and solutions that enhance the protection of journalists present in those areas.”
For his part, Ghafari noted that “the meeting addressed the targeting of journalists, which is absolutely unacceptable to us in the UNIFIL area of operations. The protection of journalists and their safety are essential, and as UNIFIL, we are working by all possible means to assist journalists as well as all those working in the medical and emergency fields, and we are also striving to facilitate the delivery of aid to our areas of operation. In turn, we extend our condolences to the family of the martyr who fell yesterday and wish a speedy recovery to the injured person who was transferred to hospital for treatment.”
Ghafari added that “attacks on peacekeepers constitute a violation of international humanitarian law and of Resolution 1701, and may amount to a war crime.”
He called on all the concerned parties to “fulfill their obligations regarding the protection of peacekeepers.”
Regarding the mechanism for protecting journalists, Ghafari called on “media outlets to inform UNIFIL of any assignment, including the names of team members, the location to be covered by the media, and the vehicle number transporting them, after obtaining the necessary permits from the Ministry of Information and the Army Command. In turn, we will relay this information to the parties through UNIFIL’s liaison and coordination mechanism. This provides a kind of protection, though it may not constitute a guarantee, but we must adhere to it.” He emphasized, “We, as UNIFIL, are ready to receive any journalist who may be in extreme danger and can take refuge at any of our operations centers until they are transferred to a safer place.”
Minister Morcos later received a delegation from the Greek Catholic League headed by Consul Gaby Abou Rjeily, in the presence of the League’s Vice President Asad Nasr and the Executive Council members.
Following the meeting, Abou Rjeily affirmed the League’s full support for his national positions and his commitment to implementing the decisions of the Lebanese Council of Ministers for the welfare of the state and its institutions.
Abou Rjeily also considered that “respect for constitutional institutions is the foundation for the proper functioning of public life in Lebanon.”
Abou Rjeily concluded, “We stand by your side in your path, wishing you success in your tasks for the benefit of the nation.”
