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Lebanese cameraman killed on Syrian border.

Lebanese cameraman killed on Syrian border.

Article ID:

14970

Lebanese cameraman Ali Shaaban was killed last Monday while filming in a northern Lebanese town near the Syrian border.

The 32- year old assistant cameraman was working for Beirut-based TV channel Al-Jadeed.

Shaaban, along with the rest of Al-Jadeed's crew, were reporting from Khat Naft in the area of Wadi Khaled when Syrian security forces reportedly shot at their vehicle from the nearby Syrian town of Armouta.

According to Al-Jadeed reporter Hussein Khreis, the cameraman was struck in the chest while sitting inside the stationary vehicle. He also added that  the heavy gunfire lasted for more than two hours and that he and cameraman Abed al-Azim Khayyat were unable to pull Shaaban out of the car and had to crawl away under fire without him.

It was three hours later that Shaaban's body was taken to Al-Salam hospital in nearby Al-Qobayat where he was pronounced dead.

Shaaban's death has caused a stir amongst Lebanese politicians, journalists and fellow media personnel. 

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati released a statement saying that he would ask the Syrian government to investigate the shooting and hold the attackers accountable.

“We deplore and condemn the shooting from the Syrian side of the Lebanese media crew, particularly given the fact that this crew was doing its duty inside the Lebanese border area," Mr Mikati said. "I have asked the leadership of the Lebanese Army to open an immediate investigation into this matter to reveal the circumstances,” he added.

Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and the Lebanese photographer's syndicate have also released statements condemning the attacks.

Samir Geagea, Lebanese Forces leader, also urged the government to control the Lebanese-Syrian border and, more importantly, to protect freedoms and journalists.

Sources: CPJ, The Daily Star Lebanon , Al Jadeed

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Farah Wael's picture

Farah Wael

Date

2012-04-12 17:31

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