US Ambassador Barrack, who called journalists 'animalistic' in Lebanon, apologizes

US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack has apologized for the "animalistic" term he used toward journalists during a press conference he attended in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, last Tuesday.

In an interview, the US Ambassador said, "The word 'animal' was not an expression I used with the intent to insult. I was just saying, 'Can we calm down a bit, can you show a little understanding and courtesy, let's be civilized.'

However, it was inappropriate for me to do this while members of the press were doing their jobs. I should have been more generous with my time and acted with a bit more tolerance," he said.

BARRACK: THE MOMENT IT STARTS TO BECOME ANIMALISTIC, WE ARE OUT

Barrack had visited Lebanon following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion that the Israeli army could withdraw from areas it controls in Southern Lebanon if the Lebanese government decided to disarm Hezbollah. Barrack's statements came after his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut.

During the subsequent press conference, Barrack, annoyed by the common occurrence of journalists asking questions simultaneously, scolded the journalists and said, "Please, be quiet for a moment. I want to tell you something. The moment this business starts to become chaotic and animalistic, we are out. Do you want to know what is happening? Be civilized, be polite, be tolerant.

Because that is the problem with what is happening in the region." Barrack then asked the journalists, "Do you think this is fun for us? Do you think it is useful for us to endure this madness here?"

LEBANESE PRESS: THIS IS NOT JUST ARROGANCE, IT IS RACISM

The words of Barrack, who is of Lebanese descent, caused a major backlash on social media, and the diplomat's statements were described as "racist." Journalist Hala Jaber reacted sharply to Barrack's statements, saying, "Barrack enters Beirut like a 19th-century colonial commissioner and calls Lebanese journalists 'animalistic.' He gives us a lesson in 'civilization' and blames everything on 'our region.' This is not just arrogance, it is racism. You do not run this country, and you cannot insult its people."

News Source: İHA