A screenshot from the MTV channel broadcasting the program "Sar el-Wa't," hosted by journalist Marcel Ghanem, on Thursday, July 20, 2023, shows a fistfight between journalist Simon Abou Fadel (L) and ex-minister Wiam Wahab.
BEIRUT — On Thursday evening, on live television, former Lebanese minister Wi'am Wahab and journalist Simon Abou Fadel fought during Sar el-Wa't, Marcel Ghanem's political talk show.
The altercation continued outside the MTV studio and the army was called in for backup. Social media exploded with comments on the episode.
In the end, Simon Abou Fadel, returned to the set to continue the show despite a black eye, while Wi'am Wahab, who remained outside eventually apologized. Wahab returned to the set, but only when Abou Fadel was absent.
During the show, a debate between the two men concerning US sanctions against Lebanese personalities suspected of corruption and links with Hezbollah quickly degenerated into violence. Wahab himself has been targeted by these US sanctions for several years.
"These sanctions should not be taken lightly," Simon Abou Fadel said to Wahab, who is the leader of the "Tawhid" movement. "These sanctions are worth as much as my shoes," Wahab replied.
- "You can sort out your problems with your shoes later," the journalist retorted.
- "It's up to you to sort out your problems with my shoes," Wahab responded angrily.
An exchange of insults followed, then Wahab threw a glass of water at the journalist's face before the two came to blows. Within seconds, a crowd of spectators, as well as security guards and presumably bodyguards, swarmed around Abou Fadel and Wahab, as Marcel Ghanem struggled to bring order back to the set.
Despite Ghanem's shouts to "stop live broadcasting immediately!" the broadcast only stopped a few minutes later.
MTV later sent out a mobile notification with the footage.
The fight continued outside the studio. It was also filmed and heavily shared on social networks. The army intervened to calm the situation.
Simon Abou Fadel did however return to the show, despite a bruised eye from the scuffle. "My face reflects my conscience," he said, while Wahab was kept out of the way, in a side room.
Journalist Simon Abou Fadel suffered a black eye following a violent altercation with former minister Wi'am Wahab on the MTV channel. (Screenshot from MTV)
The former minister ended up apologizing to the channel's director, the show's presenter, the audience and Abou Fadel, once back on the set.
On social media, many Internet users condemned the scene, believing that the former minister's attitude represented the abuse of power by Hezbollah and its political allies. Others felt that the show's presenter exploited the brawl to create a buzz.
On the political front, several groups hostile to Hezbollah and its allies condemned the incident, notably the Kataeb party, which denounced "Wi'am Wahab and his militias."
This is not the first time that such incidents have occurred during televised political broadcasts. Since the start of Marcel Ghanem's show, there have been several fights within the audience and even between guests.
In November 2022, a brawl broke out live on the set between supporters of the Free Patriotic Movement and members of the audience, leaving several people injured.
