BEIRUT, Lebanon - A Lebanese public prosecutor filed charges against a television presenter on Wednesday over a newspaper article he said defamed President Emile Lahoud.

Beirut prosecutor Joseph Memari said the charges against Zahi Wehbi, a talk show host at the anti-Syrian Future Television, related to a column by him that was published in the newspaper Al-Mustaqbal (The Future) on Tuesday.

The daily's responsible editor, Tawfik Khattab, was also accused of defaming the president, Memari said in a statement.

Wehbi denied the charges, saying his article had not referred to Lahoud, a staunch Syrian ally, by name.

"As a journalist and a writer I am committed to defend liberties and the freedom of speech," he told Reuters. "But my article did not mention anyone by name, and I respect the presidency and what it stands for."

If referred to trial and convicted, Wehbi could face up to two years in jail or a maximum fine of around $65,000.

Future Television and Al-Mustaqbal paper are owned by the family of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated in a huge explosion in February.

Opposition groups have blamed the killing on Syria and its allies in Lebanon, including Lahoud. They deny any role in it. (Reuters)