Abdel Samad On Media Freedom Conference: If Certain Provisions Conflict With Lebanon’s Laws, Reservations May Be Made Rather Than Withholding From Signing Agreement

The Ministry of Information issued a statement regarding Lebanon’s refraining from signing the recommendations of the Second World Conference on Media Freedom hosted by Canada and Botswana on November 16, 2020.

The MoI statement read as follows: “Caretaker Minister of Information, Manal Abdel Samad, had contacted caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Charbel Wehbe, to inquire about the reasons for Lebanon’s abstaining. She explained to the minister that freedom of the media is sacred to her, in both her personal and her official capacity, noting that she favored the signing of the agreement. In the event that some of the agreement’s clauses prove conflicting with the Lebanese laws in force, reservations may be made, rather than refusing to sign. Minister Wehbe proved responsive, and agreed to raise the issue with the Canadian side.”

NNA