Investigation: Olivier Faye, journalist from Le Monde, at the heart of a destabilization campaign
For several weeks, Omar Harfouch's Concerto for Peace has been at the center of a vast media destabilization campaign, in which Olivier Faye, a journalist for M, the magazine of Le Monde, plays a central role. Faye published an initial article in Le Monde on September 12 that triggered a series of unfounded accusations against Omar Harfouch. This Monday, September 16, an even more virulent article appeared in Mondafrique, a surprising online news site, which claims to be African, supposedly directed by a certain Nicolas Beau, but which does not include any legal notices, which raises questions about its transparency.
The Mondafrique article repeats almost verbatim certain accusations made by Olivier Faye during his telephone conversation with Omar Harfouch, but which were not published in Le Monde. This reinforces the hypothesis of an orchestrated campaign. The recording of a telephone conversation between Faye and Harfouch, which we were able to consult, reveals that specific, but defamatory, questions asked about two weeks ago by Faye reappeared in the Mondafrique article published barely 24 hours ago, in an even more virulent version. This troubling synchronization raises a key question: who is really behind this campaign, and what role do Olivier Faye and Mondafrique play in this affair?
It all started with an article by Olivier Faye in Le Monde, in which he made completely unfounded assumptions about personal aspects and the political affiliations of Omar Harfouch, while it is common knowledge that the latter is politically neutral. A few days later, Mondafrique published an even more virulent text. The synchronization of the publications, their similar accusatory tone, as well as the almost identical content of the two articles, suggest a coordinated strategy. The similarities do not stop at the reported facts: the same insinuations and accusations are reproduced almost word for word, raising doubts about the possible existence of a single sponsor behind this campaign.
At the end of their telephone conversation, Harfouch had warned Faye that the call was being recorded, a precautionary measure against the attempts at manipulation and defamation that he says he has already suffered. This detail seems to have disturbed the journalist, who went from an accusatory tone to a visibly irritated attitude. This awareness could explain why the article in Le Monde remained relatively moderate, compared to that of Mondafrique.
Disturbing connections between Le Monde and Mondafrique
The Mondafrique article does not simply repeat the accusations made in Le Monde; it amplifies them, adding additional, totally defamatory elements not published by Faye, but on which Harfouch was also questioned by the latter. These striking similarities cannot be ignored, and suggest that the two publications share the same source of information, or even the same director behind the scenes.
The question then arises: Did Mondafrique receive the information directly from the same source as Olivier Faye, or worse, could the latter be writing for this media outlet under a pseudonym? While this hypothesis remains speculative, the facts converge towards a coordinated attempt to discredit Omar Harfouch at a crucial moment in his life.
A well-targeted campaign
Omar Harfouch, known for his commitments to peace and the fight against corruption in Lebanon, seems to be the target of an influence network disturbed by his positions. Harfouch has been noted for his criticism of corruption within the Lebanese Central Bank and his accusations against its governor, Riad Salamé. These courageous positions have earned him many enemies, and it is possible that this media campaign is orchestrated by these same actors who feel threatened by his actions.
The timing of these publications, coming shortly before his Concerto for Peace at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, is also suspect. The attacks in the press aim to portray him as a man with dangerous political ambitions, while he presents himself as a defender of peace and justice.
Behind this campaign, an international network could be at work. Omar Harfouch has also been pressured by the illegal Lebanese militia Hezbollah, which wrongly accuses him of being a collaborator and agent of Israel. These accusations, while obviously false, are extremely serious in Lebanon, where such allegations can result in imprisonment or even the death penalty for treason. As part of this investigation, Entrevue tried several times to contact Olivier Faye to obtain clarifications on his sources and on the apparent coordination between the articles in Le Monde and Mondafrique. Our requests have remained unanswered. This silence only accentuates the opacity of the affair, suggesting either active complicity or negligence in the management of this information.
Omar Harfouch appears to be caught in a smear campaign orchestrated by powerful, perhaps international, actors. While there is still no concrete evidence to identify the exact instigators, everything suggests that this is a coordinated effort to destroy the reputation of a man who works for Peace.
