[2] Aimed at political coverage, As-Safir dubbed itself the "Voice of the Voiceless", serving as a key news source for Lebanese in the Arab world.

It espoused Arab nationalism and supported the Palestinians, aligning with the March 8 Alliance.

[3] As-Safir was first published by Talal Salman on 26 March 1974 as an Arabic political daily.

[7] On 18 July 2011, the paper, together with Al Akhbar, another daily published in Lebanon, was banned in Syria.

The paper provided an independent voice for the left-wing, Pan-Arab tendency which was increasingly active in Lebanese intellectual and political life in the years after the Arab defeat in the Six-Day War.

[15] It also focused on issues pertaining to the Muslim world, advocated Arab nationalism, was close to Hezbollah and had a pro-Syrian stance.

[16] Another Lebanese daily, An-Nahar, was cited as the biggest rival of As-Safir.