Lebanese protester kisses reporter live on air

A video of a Lebanese protestor kissing a reporter surprisingly while she was live on air went viral and triggered debate on social media.

Lebanese popular reporter Darine El Helwe was on live broadcast with UAE-based Sky News Arabia from Riad Soloh Square when a male protestor kissed her on her cheek.

The video shows, Al Helwe was taken aback by the kiss and froze for a few seconds nervously laughing and then collecting herself before she resumed reporting.

The shared footage triggered a debate online between social media users, activists and journalists, who were divided on the incident.

Some considered it cute and funny while others said it was inappropriate and a form of harassment.

Human rights activist Georges Azzi retweeted Neshan’s tweet but said there was nothing funny about the kiss.

هيدا التصرف مش مقبول ويا ريت ما يتروج له على انه تصرف مهضوم، هيدا تحرش وقلة احترام للنساء ومساحاتها الخاصة. https://t.co/XluZjNE2ez

— georges azzi (@G_azzi) November 10, 2019

However, after the kisser publicly apologized on Facebook, El Hewli said she felt less angry about the incident.

Lebanese have been protesting since October 17 demanding an overhaul of the country’s ruling elite widely considered as corrupt.

Many protesters have taken selfies and videos with television reporters widely considered to be heroes of the uprising.