Lebanese journalist May Chidiac, who was wounded by the explosion of her car in September, 2005, took back in July, 2006 her political broadcast on LBCI. On May 3rd 2007, she was made chevalier of the Legion d’honneur by French President Jacques Chirac in Paris. She tells us her reaction after this decoration, which she dedicates to the Lebanese people, while she is waiting for "better days in Lebanon".

iloubnan.info: What is your feeling having received this distinction?
May Chidiac: For me it is a very beautiful occasion, it is as an acknowledgement for all I have done in my life, especially when it comes from President Jacques Chirac before he leaves the Elysee. It is a big honour. But it is also for me the occasion to thank Mr Chirac for all that he made for Lebanon. He supported the Cedar Revolution, which cost a very high price to us, and of which I am one of the martyrs, a martyr alive.

What is your point of view on the Cedar Revolution?
I hope that all these sacrifices will not have been vain. We wait for the international court (which has to judge the suspects in the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri) and we know that Mr Chirac did his best so that this file arrives into the hands of the council of the United Nations. I hope that we shall have better days in Lebanon.

Mr Chirac defines you as a symbol of freedom of expression in Lebanon
It is very moving, even though I am not the only journalist who was attacked. They wanted to get rid of us, to terminate our thoughts, our vision of free and independent Lebanon and I hope that the future will bring us a satisfaction in spite of the losses which we had.

Is this decoration a new strength for you?
It is indeed. And it is my turn to offer this true strength to all my colleagues, everywhere worldwide. I also offer it to the Lebanese, to whom I hope for better days.