The independent Dubai-based Al Arabiya news channel announced yesterday its plans to send a special news team to Lebanon to cover the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 29th, 2005 – the first in the country after the withdrawal of Syrian forces.
The 24 hours Arabic channel announced more than 40 personnel including correspondents, directors, cameramen, sound technicians, programme editors and producers are set to travel to Lebanon to provide full and comprehensive coverage of the events who will also support Al Arabiya staff in Beirut.
Al Arabiya’s Elie Nakoozi, one of the top Anchors in the Arab world will run a live programme three times a week during the pre-election period and daily during the elections. He will host political analysts and opposition and pro- government speakers to comment on the Lebanese election laws and the distribution of power between the various political parties and ethnic groups in Lebanon.
Furthermore, Al Arabiya’s news team will finalize all the requirements for the programme ‘from Lebanon’ by preparing the field reports on the election laws and political campaigns, the history of Lebanon, as well as the daily follow-up on the electoral vote. Journalists will also report on the latest events that have an impact on the elections such as the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Al Hariri, the withdrawal of the Syrian troops from Lebanon and the return from French exile of Michel Aoun to Lebanon.
Nakhle Al Haj, Director of News and Current Affairs in Al Arabiya, said: “This round of elections plays a crucial role in the Lebanese political cycle, especially following the assassination of Rafik Al Hariri and the departure of the Syrian forces from the country. We will cover this election intensively in a similar manner to our coverage of the US, Iraqi and Palestinians elections, since this election will play a vital role in determining the new political image of Lebanon.”
He added: “Our team has extensive experience in news coverage from the field and Elie Nakouzi’s programme on the elections reflects our interest in covering the elections in a serious and objective way. We are aiming to present the correct picture to the Arab viewer and to highlight our speed and accuracy in covering news events, as we did when we were the first to announce to the world the news of the death of President Hariri.”
With the Lebanese heading to polling stations on May 29 - on a weekly basis - to select 128 members of parliament, Al Arabiya correspondents in Lebanon - along with others stationed in various international capitals such as Damascus, Paris and Washington - will provide detailed coverage of the election procedures and the official statements issued to bring the Arab viewer closer to the truth.
Also, Al Arabiya will air - every Sunday during the months of May and June - comprehensive coverage of the elections from every polling station using its extensive network of reporters. Such coverage will play a vital and important role in airing real life situations and events in each poll station to provide the viewers the true feeling inside each polling station. This approach will allow them to know the various political agendas and activities of the candidates and their meetings with their constituents in different parts of Lebanon.
Moreover, Al Arabiya plans to air documentaries covering Lebanese political life in an accurate and objective style through its correspondents who will share the latest news and events as they unfold. This will be achieved while maintaining the highest level of professionalism and neutrality in news reporting to ensure that Al Arabiya’s viewers are informed at all times of the various political views prevailing during the elections.
