Lebanese minister 'sexually harasses' TV host live on air

A Saudi-aligned Lebanese minister has insulted a talk show host live on television using suggestive language as she asked him tough questions about the shock resignation of PM Saad al-Hariri.

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07 Nov, 2017

Linda Meshleb was met with lewd remarks after asking a tough question [Twitter/NBN]

A Lebanese minister launched a lewd tirade against a talk show host live on television as she asked him tough questions about the shock resignation of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri.

When NBN's Linda Meshleb asked Minister of Refugee Affairs Mouin al-Merehbi – a member of Hariri's Saudi-backed party the Future Movement – whether his boss was being detained at the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh, he made abusive comments of a sexual nature.

"I invite you to this (the Ritz hotel) and I can invite another man with us if you want," he told her in the now widely circulated video.

When Linda Meshleb tried to clarify his reply, he said again: "The prime minister and others invite you to come to the Ritz."

The minister then hung up the phone.

Social media users condemned the minister, calling his lewd comments sexist and deeming them to be verbal harassment.

Later, Linda wrote on her Facebook page: "This video shows the low and despicable manners of someone in a ministerial post... I did not answer back on air because I respect myself and the company I work for.

"I do not blame the minister, because this is perhaps how he lives his life, but insulting people like this is not befitting of a minister. I also ask what Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri thinks of this, as the minister insulted him, deliberately or otherwise."