Uproar after Lebanon bans 'pro-Israel' Kuwait journalist Fajer Al-Saeed from entry

Kuwaiti journalist Fajer Al-Saeed was banned from entering Lebanon reportedly over her political views. The move sparked outrage and criticism from Lebanese leaders and parties.
2 min read
09 June, 2023
The Lebanese General Security issued a statement on Thursday to confirm the ban on Saeed's entry to Lebanon [Getty]

A Kuwaiti journalist known for her criticism of the Lebanese movement Hezbollah and support for normalisation with Israel sparked outrage after revealing earlier this week she was turned back from the Lebanon border.

Fajer Al-Saeed claimed on Twitter on Wednesday that the Lebanese General Security had informed her of a "permanent ban" on entering Lebanon after arriving at Beirut's International Airport.

She claimed that the ban was due to her political views. This includes past support for Israel and opposition to Hezbollah.

Pro-Hezbollah media have claimed that it was due to Al-Saeed allegedly having an Israeli stamp in her passport. Lebanon does not allow entry to anyone with an Israeli stamp.

The Lebanese General Security issued a statement on Thursday to confirm the ban on Saeed's entry to Lebanon, without giving further details.

Saeed recorded a video during her hours-long detention at the airport. In the video, she expressed frustration at being unable to contact relatives due to having no interest access. Eventually, a security officer assisted her in connecting to the internet to purchase a return ticket.

She referred to her deportation as a "clear message", implying it was a politically motivated decision by authorities to silence her voice and stop it from reaching Lebanese people.

The leader of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, criticised Saeed's deportation, calling it a "police-state like action" without any legal basis.

"This is an attack on Lebanon's values and its relations with Arab countries," he said, in comments carried by the French language daily L'Orient-Le Jour.

"Kuwait has always been a friend of Lebanon," Geagea said, adding "The question is: has Lebanon turned into a second North Korea?"

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The Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) also issued a statement expressing shock at the arrest and interrogation of Saeed.

"We condemn this procedure, which undermines freedoms and diversity in Lebanon, as well as respect for journalists. Those responsible must explain themselves on the matter and prevent this from happening again," the PSP statement said.