Reporters Without Borders shocked by attack on Lebanese journalist

Reporters Without Borders expressed “deep shock” at what it called a “barbaric attack” today on well-known Lebanese TV presenter May Chidiac, who was critically injured in a bomb attack on her car in Beirut. “This shows what dangerous conditions lebanese journalists have to work in,” it said, calling on the government to find and punish those responsible so as to prevent a habit of impunity taking root. It noted that the attack came less than five months after the 2 June murder of journalist Samir Kassir, of the daily paper Al Nahar. It urged the authorities to take “urgent and serious steps to solve the two crimes.” Chidiac, who works for LBC (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation) which is covering the incident live, may have to undergo amputation. The attack was similar to the one on Kassir. In each case a bomb was placed under the driver's seat. Chidiac presents the evening news as well as a political programme on LBC, which is close to the country's anti-Syrian opposition.