A PALESTINIAN politician exiled by Fatah president Mahmoud Abbas has issued libel proceedings against social media giants Facebook and Twitter in Dublin.
Mohammed Dahlan, who is attempting to return to frontline Gaza politics, is taking the action over allegations around issues relating to the uprising in Turkey and civil war in Syria.
Prominent Co Down libel lawyer Paul Tweed is acting for Mr Dahlan in the cases which are linked to existing proceedings in London over an article in Middle East Eye, an online news portal in English and French.
"I can confirm that proceedings have been issued and are ongoing in the High court in London against the publishers of Middle East Eye," he said.
"My client is also taking legal action against Facebook and Twitter in the High Court in Dublin in relation to the republication of the offending article.
"My client is determined to set the record straight and vindicate his reputation in all appropriate jurisdiction."
The European headquarters of both Facebook and Twitter are in Ireland, which makes Dublin a focus for such legal action.
Earlier his year, Mr Tweed set up his own practice after 39 years with Johnsons Solicitors in Belfast to focus on north African, Middle Eastern and US clients, and taking on social media giants.
Mr Dahlan is a former chief of Fatah’s security force in Gaza.
