Chidiac lost an arm and a leg from a bomb placed under her car in September 2005 and underwent several operations in Lebanon and in France.

"A year later and with courage she overcame her destiny and returned to her job as a journalist and published a book," Chirac said Thursday.

He said he was glad he was presenting the Legion of Honor to Chidiac on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day.

He also described her as a "symbol of free speech in Lebanon."

At LBC Chidiac was always very critical of Syria and criticized its role in Lebanon . This is why Syria was blamed for her attempted assassination , but Syria denied any wrongdoing. The international tribunal which is expected to be set up by the UN to try the killers of Hariri and the other leaders will hopefully find out also who was behind Chidiac’s attempted murder and bring them to justice.

Picture: French president Jacques Chirac congratulates prominent TV anchorwoman May Chidiac after she was awarded a knighthood in the Legion of Honor order, at the Elysee palace in Paris, Thursday, May 3, 2007.

Sources: Naharnet, Ya Libnan