BEIRUT: The National Audiovisual Media Council called on media officials to attend a meeting to discuss their commitments toward maintaining the unity of the Lebanese people Monday.

“During this tense phase [in the country] the media can be a major player in diffusing the tensions and curbing sectarian and political tensions,” the council’s leader, Abdel-Hadi Mahfouz, said following a meeting at the Information Ministry.

“We decided to invite the officials of the audio and visual media outlets to a session. We will discuss their situation and commitment toward maintaining the unity of Lebanese society, and [work] with the [Audiovisual Media] law which stresses the need for a constructive and calm approach by the media,” he added.

Mahfouz said the session, which hasn’t been scheduled yet, would be held at the Grand Serial and would be attended by the Prime Minister Najib Mikati as well as Information Minister Walid Daouk.