Emirati business Al Habtoor Group has cancelled its plans to launch a TV channel in Beirut, citing “severe security challenges,” including physical threats against the company and its employees.
“Following the project announcement, the group encountered a barrage of orchestrated campaigns including accusations, slander, and threats,” the company stated.
While the individuals responsible have not been identified, the group has filed criminal and civil complaints in Lebanon. The company thanked Lebanese Minister of Information Ziad Makary for his support.
Chairperson Khalaf Ahmad Al-Habtoor confirmed that the TV channel, which was intended to focus on cultural, social, and sporting content, will no longer be launched.
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor said: “We have encountered insurmountable obstacles that exceed what can reasonably be borne regarding the safety and security of our team. After careful consideration and in light of the lack of necessary security stability for investment, we find ourselves compelled to seek an alternative to launching the project from Lebanon.”
He added: “Our goal has always been to support the Lebanese people and provide content that inspires hope and positivity. However, the safety and security of our team and project participants must always come first. The current situation has left us no choice but to step back from this initiative and abandon the launch of our television station from Lebanon.”
The Dubai-based company is now considering alternative locations in “countries that offer a more stable and secure environment supportive of such initiatives.”
The channel was expected to generate approximately 300 jobs across journalism, production, art, and more, with further employment prospects anticipated as the project evolved.
Additionally, Al Habtoor Group had plans to develop a studio city in Lebanon spanning 100,000 sqm, envisioned as a dynamic hub for film and TV production to bolster the country’s allure as a premier destination for international filmmakers.
