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“You’ll be heading This is Beirut, our new English-speaking platform”, said Marc Saikali, the CEO of Ici Beyrouth, in a very matter-of-factly tone, back in January 2023. I distinctly remember how these words filled me with dread, and how my brain instantly went in overdrive. I will never forget the overwhelming anxiety I felt at that exact moment. “We launch in May” he added, smiling – in attempt to be reassuring – at my panic-stricken face.

And in a blink of an eye, the four months have passed, and D-Day finally arrived. This is Beirut is now live! The rush of excitement and anticipation is indescribable. Four months of recruiting, branding, content creating, designing, filming, and writing that were as nerve-racking as they were memorable, thanks to the incredible team of This is Beirut and Ici Beyrouth. It is truly a blessing to be working in an environment where people share the same passion and drive and completely dedicate themselves to honing their craft.

In the year and a half, I spent with the team of Ici Beyrouth, I learned more than I could have ever imagined on a professional and on a personal level. Working side by side with the same people 24/7 creates bonds that are not easily breakable, especially when you go through important milestones in such a short period of time. Together, we covered the parliamentary elections of 2022, traveled across the country aboard a bus to showcase Lebanon’s beautiful villages and sceneries, filmed exclusive interviews with key local and international figures, shot hundreds and hundreds of reports, wrote articles on politics, justice, economy, social issues, culture, world affairs, sports, science, technology etc. which all contributed to the platform’s resounding success.

We pride ourselves at Ici Beyrouth and This is Beirut to be more than news organizations. We are a catalyst for change, a beacon of hope, and an advocate for unity in an increasingly complex and divided Lebanon. Our mission is to create a free-minded global media outlets, dedicated to the recovery of our country, its betterment and its liberation from expansionist and anti-sovereign forces, who actively thwart any effort of positive change.

This is why we provide our readers and followers with real and honest news coverage and promote values and principles that we deeply and inherently believe in, which are: freedom, sovereignty, independence, justice, social justice, equality, free economy, human rights, security, environmental sustainability, and a peaceful and prosperous Lebanon, whose relationship with Arab countries and the international community is not being compromised on the daily.

I am adamant that This is Beirut is going to make waves and shake up the Lebanese media landscape. It is here to stay.