Lebanon begins legal action against journalist for defamation

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GCC chief condemns allegations on Amir

BEIRUT, Sept 17, (KUNA): Lebanon began on Monday legal action against a Lebanese journalist for defamation and slander targeting His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The official National News Agency (NNA) said State Prosecutor of Cassation, Judge Samir Hammoud, referred the case of journalist Salem Zahran to the Beirut Prosecution of Appeal, after hearing his testimony over statements he made during an interview on Al-Manar TV channel on Sept 13.

Hammoud asked for pressing charges of defamation and slander against Zahran “for exposing Lebanon’s foreign relations to danger,” according to the NNA. Zahran, in the interview with Al-Manar, made allegations against His Highness the Amir. Kuwait has officially rebuffed the claims, which have also drawn condemnation from a host of Lebanese officials, expressing keenness on maintaining warm relations with Kuwait.

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Dr Abdul-Latif Al-Zayani, expressed his deep condemnation on Sunday to the recent allegations by Lebanese channel Al-Manar on His Highness Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Al-Zayani strongly denounced in a press statement the channel’s despicable attempt to undermine his high status in Arab, Islamic and international countries. “The efforts of His Highness the Amir and his honorable positions on various issues in the region and the world stand as a prominent witness to his wisdom and leadership,” Al-Zayani said.

The Secretary-General affirmed that his Highness the Amir of Kuwait has always proved his love and appreciation to Lebanon and its noble people, calling on the Lebanese government to take legal action against this rejected media abuse Lebanese Foreign Ministry Sunday strongly rejects any derogatory remarks directed at Kuwait and its leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah cannot be accepted. A statement by the ministry said, “we should not be directing such harmful remarks at such a close friend, saluting the State of Kuwait and its Amir who has been a sincere and loyal friend of Lebanon, and holds Lebanon in his heart and conscience to not abandon Lebanon in its darkest circumstances, and the Kuwaiti people who consider Lebanon as their second home.”

On behalf of all the Lebanese people, the ministry expressed, “non-interference in the affairs of the countries that stood up and supported Lebanon during its crisis, putting the interest of their country and Lebanon in mind.” Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Al- Hariri, as well as a wide range of political, popular, religious, and economics bodies issued statements condemning the remarks slandering Kuwait and its Amir during an interview in Al-Manar TV.

Lebanese State General Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud has asked judicial authorities to follow up on the interview and release it in preparation for legal proceedings. His Highness the Amir, meanwhile, received a phone call from the Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who expressed rejection to all recent allegations and remarks by a certain Lebanese media outlet against Kuwait and its Amir. During the phone call, President Aoun also expressed appreciation and respect to the people and government of Kuwait and to His Highness the Amir for his stances towards Lebanon in the past.

The Lebanese president praised the brotherly and historical ties that bring together the two countries, wishing him good health and continuous progress and development of the State of Kuwait under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir.

In turn, His Highness the Amir expressed his sincere appreciation to the president for these noble feelings that reflect the strong relations between the two countries and wished him a long healthy life and further development to his country.

This news has been read 6906 times!

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