The independent Dubai-based Al Arabiya news channel continues to maintain its presence in Lebanon as the country has completed its second round of parliamentary elections.
The 24 hours Arabic channel devoted 40 personnel including correspondents, directors, cameramen, sound technicians, programme editors and producers who traveled to Lebanon to provide full and comprehensive coverage of the events and supported Al Arabiya staff in Beirut.
In the Beirut polls of May 29 opposition candidates took most of the capital’s 19 parliamentary seats. However, yesterday’s vote in the Lebanese south is different given the strong political and moral support for the Hezbollah-AMAL alliance which was confirmed by the alliance’s sweep of all 23 seats in the south. It is highly likely the outcome of the poll will be interpreted as a vote against the American- and French-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 1559 calling upon Hezbollah to disarm.
Nakhle Al Haj, Director of News and Current Affairs in Al Arabiya, said: “The results of this round of elections are probably being followed closely by regional and international observers just as they followed events in the first round in the capital last week. Suffice it to say, there is a high degree of responsibility that comes with covering such a politically sensitive event.”
Without a doubt, the outcome will send signals to different political groups in Lebanon and may send a political message as far away as the White House. Regardless, coverage of the elections carries responsibility which Al Arabiya has shown on numerous occasions that it is prepared, willing and able to handle. As its coverage of the Beirut round of elections has shown, Al Arabiya has remained true to its commitment to objective, fair and intelligent reporting and will guarantee no less in the upcoming rounds.
