Lebanese Journalists Come To Blows On Hizbullah TV

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

Click here to view this clip on MEMRI TV.

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 hos: "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 read, it’s not just for show. You’ll see, after the show they will celebrate together.

"Thank you for watching."

[…]