Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends and Colleagues,

The past two days have been rich with exchanges, first hand information and debates; experiences have been shared and opinions expressed during this unique gathering of newspaper publishers, journalists, bloggers, press freedom advocates and representatives of human rights organisations from North Africa, the Middle East, the Gulf and beyond.

As the President of the World Association of Newspapers, allow me to say that we are genuinely proud of organising this annual event, here in Beirut, along with our long-standing partner, the daily An-Nahar.

It indeed is an invaluable privilege for us at WAN to meet, exchange and debate with outstanding personalities from this region in the course of our Arab Free Press Forum.

I believe this event has shown that newspapers in the Arab region, as in much of the rest of the world, are innovating and adapting as the media world changes - new technologies, a better understanding of our audiences, and a focus on professionalism offer enormous opportunities. But what this event demonstrates more than anything else is the enormous courage and conviction of independent journalists and publications in the region. They continue to push the limits of what is allowed, despite the difficulties and dangers.

Issues pertaining to press freedom are at the core of WAN mandate and it has proven crucial to monitor situations closely and take action when freedom of the press is violated. In most of this region, we have seen the hostility toward the independent and opposition media rising and the mechanisms of repression multiplying.

So I find remarkable the commitment and determination of the Arab independent press and of those who defend it, to carry on and challenge those in power, and those who do their utmost to try to silence them. These brave journalists stand for the right to inform, investigate, criticize and express opinions that are contrary to those held by the regimes in power. Too often, the price they pay is high, as we’ve heard over the past two days.

Let me take this opportunity to condemn every form of harassment, arbitrary detention and imprisonment of journalists, bloggers and freedom of expression advocates throughout the region. It is time to end those abuses and crimes.

I would also like to reiterate WAN’s protests to Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Syria, for preventing Mohamed Abbou, Lotfi Hidouri, Fouad Al-Farhan and Mazen Darwich from travelling to Beirut and take part in this Forum. This facile restriction can only strengthen our resolve.

It will be my privilege later today to speak at the ceremony commemorating the memory of the late, great Gebran Tueni. Gebran’s personal commitment to a strong, independent, free press remains a reference and an inspiration to us all and I wish to express my respect and friendship to the members of his family and staff of his newspaper An-Nahar as they hold his spirit and continue his work.

It was once said that “a great newspaper is a country speaking to itself...” and your interest, your work, your courage is testament to that.

So, I thank you for your participation and real engagement, and let me conclude by saying that the World Association of Newspapers will re-double its efforts in this region to support your work towards a truly independent and free press.

Thank you,