Journalist Rita Wakim Hage launched her new electronic site “up&downBeirut.com,” under the auspices of Information Minister Melhem Riachy, represented by his Advisor Elissar Naddaf Geagea, at a dinner banquet held at Sett Zmorrod restaurant, Dbayeh.
The event was attended by Minister of Economy & Trade Raed Khoury, Ambassador Ihor Ostash of Ukraine, Ambassador Abdul Motaleb Sarker of Bangladesh, MPs George Okeiss and Hagob Terzian , Chargé d’Affaires of the Paraguayan Embassy in Lebanon Nathalie Massaad, President Georges Rizk of Beirut Tribunal , Ambassador Graziella Seif , Lebanese & International Designer Abed Mahfouz and a panel of eminent figures and representatives of different sectors .
In her opening word El Hage explained up & down Beirut objectives :
“We meet today to witness the birth of the up & down Beirut site at a time when transparency, credibility and non-politicized words have become a rare coin, said Rita Wakim .. It is necessary to find a free forum that adopts inclusiveness and non-alignment. The purpose of the targeted media is based on positive, constructive, non-destructive, and non-exhaustive criticism, in order to improve and develop. Here is our position to fill the gaps of this vaccum from Beirut, the vibrant heart of Lebanon, the capital of culture, democracy and responsible free speech. Maybe we can keep in mond to the beautiful media time and move forward on its footsteps … »
Delivering Riachy’s word, Geagea depicted up&down Beirut.com as a distinguished website, explaining that it is a social, cultural, and entertaining site :
“As a Ministry of Information, we do encourage every means that contribute to spreading liberties and thoughts within the ethical limits that we believe in, away from insulting others,” Geagea said.
Than a token of Appreciation was delivered by Rita El Hage and Minister Khoury to Riachi in recognition of his kind auspices .