Beirut (AsiaNews) After 13 hours of surgery in Beirut's Hôtel-Dieu-de-France Hospital, Christian journalist May Chidiac left the operating room without her left foot and hand. She still remains in serious conditions.
The prominent Lebanese TV journalist, known for her critical views about Syria, was the victim of another in a string of car bombs that have struck the country this year.
The blast occurred at 5.45 pm in Jounieh, 15 kilometres north of Beirut. Ms Chidiac was driving to Sunday mass at a church she frequently goes to and which is located near Bkerke, the Maronite Patriarch's residence.
According to sources from the Lebanon Broadcasting Corporation (LBC), Lebanon's foremost broadcaster and Ms Chidiac's employer, about 400 grams of explosive placed under her seat were set off by remote control. This is proof that she was under surveillance.
Yesterday's attack is the second against a journaliston June 2, anti-Syrian journalist Samir Qasir was killed in a similar incident.
Ms Chidiac was at work until 2 pm before leaving to go to mass. In the morning she had interviewed another journalist, Sarkis Nahum, who during her talk show programme harshly criticised Syria.
May Chidiac, 56, is a Christian Maronite. In addition to her work as a journalist, she teaches at Lebanon's Notre Dame University. In the course of career, she received many awards for her work; she also chairs a group of free journalists.
Lebanese President Émile Lahoud did not mince his words in condemning the attack. After visiting the hospital, he called the attack "a crime against the peace the country so much desires". He also reiterated the government's resolve in fighting terrorism in all its forms.
Maronite Patriarch, Card Nassrallah Sfeir, urged the authorities to assume their responsibilities and ensure the necessary protection for all citizens. He also reminded the international community of its obligations vis-à-vis Lebanon.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said he believed "that the international community should not tolerate such terrorist attacks. Such callous acts now form a pattern of onslaught not only against Lebanese citizens but also against the principles of a democratic, open society, which, most importantly, includes the freedom of the press."
The Secretary General called on the Lebanese government to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice and end the impunity of those assassins who have struck so many times following the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri last February.