Controversy Erupts as Kuwaiti Media Personality Denied Entry to Lebanon
Date
6/11/2023 4:50:11 AM
(MENAFN) Lebanon faced widespread criticism and uproar when Fajer Al-Saeed, a prominent Kuwaiti media writer and producer, was barred from entering the country. The incident occurred at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday evening when Lebanon's General Security rejected a request from Kuwaiti Embassy officials to allow her to stay overnight before departing for Kuwait. As a result, she was deported back to Kuwait the following morning after spending the night at the airport.
Al-Saeed had traveled to Lebanon to film an episode for the "We Want the Truth" program on the Sawt Beirut International e-platform. However, she claimed that she was detained at the General Security checkpoint due to a supposed "name similarity issue." Later, she was informed that a permanent deportation order had been issued against her, effectively banning her from entering the country.
The incident has sparked controversy, particularly considering that Beirut was designated as the Capital of Arab Media for 2023 by the Arab League in a show of solidarity following the devastating port explosion in 2020. Many voices, including Joseph Al-Kosseifi, the head of the Lebanese Press Editors' Syndicate, expressed their opposition to obstructing the work of any journalist in Lebanon, regardless of their nationality.
The incident raises concerns about press freedom and the ability of journalists to carry out their work without hindrance. The situation has attracted attention both within Lebanon and internationally, highlighting the need for transparency and respect for the freedom of the press in the country.
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