Information Minister Paul Morcos received, in his office in the ministry, a delegation from the Associated Press (AP), headed by Middle East Bureau Director Victoria Eastwood, accompanied by the news official in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, Abby Sewell.
Morcos affirmed his support for the work of foreign journalists, revealing that during the period of the recent Israeli war on Lebanon, the Ministry of Information received requests from dozens of foreign journalists wishing to follow events on the ground.
Minister Morcos also condemned the targeting of journalist Hadi Hoteit while he was performing his professional duty in the town of Kafr Tibnit in southern Lebanon, after he was injured by a missile fired by Israeli forces, noting that he contacted him to check on his health condition and wished him a speedy recovery.
He considered that targeting journalists constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, stressing that these attacks cannot be justified under any circumstances.
He pointed out that the attack came at a time when international efforts were intensifying to consolidate the ceasefire that was recently announced, pointing out that the continued targeting of Lebanese territory and media professionals contradicts the efforts aimed at enhancing stability in the region.
Morcos revealed that the fact-finding mission of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is expected to arrive in Lebanon in the coming days, where it will stay for several weeks to document Israeli violations. He stressed that the file targeting Hoteit and other martyrs and wounded civilians and workers in the media and first aid sectors will be included in the file handled by the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law.
The Minister of Information renewed his call to the international community and organizations concerned with media freedom and human rights to take urgent action to stop attacks on journalists and prevent their recurrence.
