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Feb 08, 2013
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Lebanese Journalists Come to Blows on Hizbullah TV

#3733 | 02:53
Source: Al-Manar TV (Lebanon)

Following are excerpts from an Al-Manar TV show between two Lebanese journalists discussing the situation in Syria. The show aired on February 8, 2012.


March 8-affiliated journalist Salem Zaharan: I know you have a problem bringing first-class guests from the March 14 Alliance, so you end up bringing…


TV host: No, he is first-class. You are both first-class guests, and I won’t allow such talk.


[…]


TV host: Could you possibly shake hands, so we can start afresh? Go ahead, shake his hand.


Salem Zaharan gets up and extends his hand


March 14-affiliated journalist As’ad Bishara: No, I won’t.


I’m sorry, but I won’t.


TV host: Now you’re disappointing me.


As’ad Bishara: No, what are we – little children?


TV host: Now you’re out of line.


As’ad Bishara: My apologies to the viewers.


TV host: Shake hands with him.


Salem Zaharan: In the 2006 war, he stayed in the same Al-Ashrafiyya Hotel as Ariel Sharon [sic]. He met with the Americans and kissed Condoleezza Rice’s hands and feet, but he won’t shake hands with an honorable man like me. He recruits collaborators for Israel.


TV host: If this was true, he wouldn’t be sitting here.


[…]


Salem Zaharan: When I talk about Syria, I know what I’m talking about…


As’ad Bishara interrupts


TV host: That’s enough, As’ad. Let him finish.


Salem Zaharan: You’re hollow…


As’ad Bishara: I feel like I’m being interviewed by Al-Dunya TV…


Salem Zaharan: Al-Dunya TV is more honorable than you.


TV host: Salem, please…


Salem Zaharan: It’s my turn to talk. You, keep on collaborating with the Israelis.


TV host: Salem, that’s enough.


Salem Zaharan: You can’t string two sentences together.


TV host: Salem, that’s enough.


Salem Zaharan: I have here reports from international sources, and he’s just sitting there, like an idiot, who doesn’t know…


As’ad Bishara emits a curse


TV host: Stop it!


Salem Zaharan throws two cups of water at As’ad Bishara. TV host gets up to hold Bishara back.


As’ad Bishara: You son-of-a-bitch…


TV host: Stop it!


[…]


TV host: Okay, c’mon, smile now.


Salem Zaharan smiles


As’ad Bishara: My apologies to the dear viewers.


What, do you think we’re about to shoot one another now?


TV host shakes hands with Bishara, then turns to Zaharan


TV host: Salem?


They shake hands


Salem Zaharan: Good job.


TV host turns to Bishara, and tries to get the two guests to shake hands with one another


TV host: Well? Wait a moment, do me a favor… For me… No, for me… Go ahead…


The guests grudgingly shake hands


TV host: Okay? This is for real, it’s not just for show. You’ll see, after the show they will celebrate together.


Thank you for watching.


[…]

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