Ghassan Bin Jiddu was a hugely influential figure on the Al Jazeera network last year, with his program Hiwar Maftuh one of the most widely watched.

Some suggest he was even being touted as a replacement to former director general Wadah Khanfar at one stage.

However Bin Jiddu quit his role after political disagreements with the station, and now hosts a new show in Beirut.

While at Al Jazeera, Bin Jiddu was particularly renowned for his insightful interviews with decision makers. He also received much acclaim for the channel’s coverage of the war between Israel and Lebanon in 2007.

He has spent a number of years working on a documentary about Hezbollah, and in 2007 obtained an exclusive interview with the organisation’s leader Hassan Nasrallah.