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Sept25-2005

 

TV anchorwoman targeted by bomb under seat of car 

Sunday, September 25, 2005; Posted: 12:25 p.m. EDT (16:25 GMT)

 

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- A bomb planted in the car of a prominent Lebanese journalist blew up Sunday, critically wounding her, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation and Lebanese security officials said.

The blast apparently targeting LBC anchorwoman May Chidiac took place Sunday afternoon in Jounieh, north of Beirut.

Security officials said someone apparently placed the bomb underneath a seat in her car. The bomb destroyed the car.

LBC said Chidiac has "critical" wounds in her lower body and will undergo surgery at a hospital, the network said.

The blast follows numerous bombings in Lebanon, including previous attacks against journalists.

Many attacks have targeted people viewed as critical of Syria's presence in Lebanon.

Just hours before Sunday's bombing, Chidiac was hosting a program on LBC about the subject of the possible involvement of Syrians in the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri.

The death of Hariri, a prominent opponent of Syria's presence in Lebanon, sparked a wave protests in the capital against what many viewed as an occupation. The protests help lead to Syria's announced withdrawal from the country.

 

Chidiac 'represents the image of free media'

 

By Agence France Presse (AFP)

 

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

 

 

Profile

BEIRUT: Television news anchor May Chidiac, who was seriously wounded when her car blew up on Sunday, is well known in Lebanon for her professionalism. Sources close to Chidiac said she was committed to an independent and sovereign Lebanon, and opposed the Syrian control over Lebanon until Damascus withdrew its troops in April after a 29-year presence.

"May represents the image of the free media. She was targeted because of her politics," said MP Boutros Harb, as condemnation poured in of the apparent assassination bid.

Chidiac, 40, studied at the University of Lebanon's journalism faculty.

She worked for Voice of Lebanon radio, which belongs to the Kataeb Party, before joining the LBC television channel where she is a top news anchor and regular host of a political talk show.

"May is a kind, sincere and courageous woman, known for her questioning of political figures two or three times a week on a morning program to get the truth out of them," Jean Feghali, an LBC news director, said.

"She has a great sense of humor, is unconcerned about danger to herself and is well known to viewers because she also anchored the evening news three times a week," he added.

LBC was founded in 1985 by the anti-Syrian Lebanese Forces Party, of which Chidiac is a supporter. The Lebanese Forces is headed by Samir Geagea, who was freed from prison in July after 11 years in custody for crimes committed during the war.

Chidiac helped found a press club which hosted debates even under the former pro-Syrian regimes in Beirut. – AFP