31 October 2012

BEIRUT: The family of Lebanese journalist Fidaa Itani, who was captured by Syrian rebels Saturday, held a gathering Tuesday to demand his release, while Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said that he would likely be freed within the week.

Speaking on behalf of the Itani family during the gathering, Hussam Itani said that his brother Fidaa supports the Syrian revolution and expressed regret that he had fallen victim to the uprising.

He [Fidaa] did not make a mistake by standing by the side of the Syrian revolution, but it is painful that what is causing Fidaa pain is a revolution that does not protect its supporters, Itani said.

We call on the [Syrian] opposition to protect journalists who came [to Syria] to answer the calls of the Syrian people, he added.

Itani, also a journalist, said that many journalists now fear being stabbed in the back if they travel to Syrian territories that are controlled by the rebels.

We meet today to defend the right of the journalist to work without having his life threatened, and for Fidaa, who we demand be returned to freedom, which he adores, Itani added.

Also speaking at the event, Nadim Houry, deputy director for Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch, called for Itanis immediate release.

He also touched on the sufferings of journalists, saying the number of those who are currently missing is unknown.

Attending the gathering at the Press Federation headquarters was MP Qassem Hashem, from Speaker Nabih Berris parliamentary bloc, Khaldoun Sharif, an adviser to Prime Minister Najib Mikati, head of the Press Federation Mohammad Baalbaki and members of media.

Meanwhile, Charbel told The Daily Star that he had received no news but reiterated that officials were hopeful that Itani would be released soon.

There is nothing new ... we are expecting that, God willing, he will be released this week, Charbel said.

I was told that they [the rebels] have nothing against him but that they are checking the films and recordings he took, the minister added.

A former commentator for Al-Akhbar newspaper, Itani now works for LBCI and was on a field report in Azaz, in the district of Aleppo, when he was put under house arrest by Syrian rebels over the weekend. He is a staunch supporter of the rebels.

The rebels said that Itani was detained because his work drew their suspicions, adding that his arrest was not related to his nationality, opinions or political affiliation. They said that his movement in Aleppo and its countryside were suspicions.

Itani appeared in a video Sunday saying that he was fine.

Speaking to The Daily Star, one of the mediators between Lebanese officials and Syrian rebels reiterated Tuesday that Itani had been freed from house arrest but had decided to remain in Syria for work.

He is fine and enjoys freedom of movement ... he might be working on a report on the kidnapped, the mediator said, in reference to nine remaining Lebanese pilgrims who were abducted by Syrian rebels in Azaz in May.

But Pierre Daher, LBCI chairman, said that he had been unable to contact Itani. He said that every time he contacts the rebels to ask about Itani, they tell him a different story.

They say hes fine, hes their guest and they have nothing against him.

Copyright The Daily Star 2012.