Lebanon deported a Reuters correspondent after questioning him on arrival at Beirut airport firstly of a reporting project final month, detaining him in a single day earlier than placing him on a flight to Jordan.
Suleiman al-Khalidi, a Jordanian nationwide, flew to Beirut on Aug. 2 however was stopped by officers at passport management who took him apart for questioning and requested him to give up his firm laptop computer pc and cell phone, Khalidi mentioned.
Authorities gave no motive for the demand. After Khalidi declined at hand over his tools, he was transferred to a deportation heart earlier than being despatched again to Jordan the subsequent day.
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Reuters wrote to Lebanese authorities asking for the choice to be reversed.
“We have protested to Lebanese government officials about the treatment of Reuters journalist Suleiman al-Khalidi and are seeking further information from these authorities, who have provided no explanation for their action,” a Reuters spokesperson mentioned.
“Suleiman’s reporting has been independent and impartial, in keeping with the Trust Principles.
Reuters condemns any limitations imposed on journalists seeking to report the news in the public interest.”
Lebanon deports veteran Reuters correspondent Suleiman al-Khalidi after interrogating him on arrival at Beirut airport. No reason given. https://t.co/T6Y7DNlm0C
— Louisa Loveluck (@leloveluck) September 4, 2021
In its response, Lebanon’s General Directorate of General Security mentioned that Lebanese legislation ensured a free media atmosphere. It didn’t say whether or not Khalidi’s expulsion can be rescinded.
“The ban on his entry to Lebanon is a purely sovereign decision of the Lebanese state, and has no relation to his work or profession,” the letter mentioned. The letter described the choice as a denial of entry slightly than a deportation as a result of officers made no entry stamp on Khalidi’s passport.
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Khalidi, Reuters chief correspondent for Jordan and Syria, has labored for the worldwide information company for 25 years, masking Jordan and the Syrian battle, in addition to reporting from Iraq, Lebanon, Libya and the Gulf.
Reuters with additional input by GVS News Desk