BEIRUT: US Special Envoy Thomas Barrack sparked outrage Tuesday after telling Lebanese journalists to “act civilized” and avoid behaving in an “animalistic” manner during a press conference at the presidential palace, drawing swift condemnation from media unions and the presidency.
During a press conference at Baabda Palace following his meeting with President Joseph Aoun, Barrack asked journalists to “be quiet for a moment” before lashing out, saying: “The moment this starts becoming chaotic, like animalistic, we’re gone.”
He added: “Act civilized, act kind, act tolerant, because this is the problem with what’s happening in the region.”
Linking their behavior to a broader problem in the Middle East drew backlash from journalists and media unions, who described his comments as “humiliating” and “racist.”
The press conference was held in Beirut to brief the media on Washington’s push to disarm Hezbollah as part of wider efforts to de-escalate tensions along Lebanon’s southern border.
Despite calls for clarification, Barrack, who was joined by Deputy Envoy Morgan Ortagus, refused to apologize following the press conference.
In response, Lebanon’s presidency issued a statement, saying that it “deeply regrets the remark made inadvertently from its podium by one of its guests,” without naming Barrack.
It also affirmed “its utmost respect for human dignity in general,” while extending appreciation to all journalists and media correspondents for their efforts and national role in covering the country’s developments.
The Syndicate of Lebanese Press Editors issued a statement, demanding an apology from the US envoy. Denouncing what it described as “beyond the pale of decency and diplomacy,” the syndicate threatened that it would urge media outlets to boycott his remaining visits to Lebanon if apologies were not made.
It called the remarks “absolutely unacceptable and highly reprehensible,” adding that “what’s even more unfortunate is that it came from an envoy of a major power.”
