Lebanese journalist attacked under eye of Internal Security Forces

A Lebanese investigative journalist has been attacked while covering a story involving the country’s Internal Security Forces (ISF).

Riad Kobeissi’s car windscreen was smashed as he reported on traffic chaos outside a gas station in the coastal town of Jiyeh, south of Beirut.

The incident took place on Wednesday despite the ISF being present at the scene and Kobeissi later said he held the ISF’s director general, Imad Osman, fully responsible for any injuries he might have sustained.

The reporter is one of the most prominent investigative journalists in Lebanon, specializing in uncovering corruption cases.

Since last year’s devastating Beirut port explosion, he has published a number of documents exposing individuals allegedly responsible for storing the ammonium nitrate that caused the dock blast.

Investigations into the explosion have continually been stalled by the Lebanese authorities.

Wednesday’s attack was not the first time Kobeissi has been assaulted and harassed over his journalistic work.

The Alternative Press Syndicate in Lebanon said: “The attack on our colleague, who raised his voice in the face of flagrant violations, is nothing but thuggery against people first and journalists second, and against everyone who sheds light on cartels of all kinds.”