The Lebanese Press Editors Syndicate is requesting a public apology from US envoy Tom Barrack in response to comments describing the Presidential Palace journalist as “zoology.”
“Again, the Lebanese media is receiving treatment beyond the pale whiteness of decency and diplomacy, to say the least. What’s even more unfortunate is that it was committed by a major envoy of force, which plays a massive role.”
Barrack expressed shock that he “described the actions of media representatives at the Presidential Palace as animalistic,” and his statement “is “fully unacceptable, indeed deeply condemned, and urged the editor’s syndicate to issue this statement, specifically directed.
The statement urged US envoys to “correct his actions by issuing a public apology to the media.”
“Unless such a statement is issued, we can urge the syndicate of Lebanese press editors to Lebanese press editors as a first step to clarify it to everyone concerned that journalism and the dignity of journalists is not cheap, his rank is not high, and that it cannot be easily passed on.
Lebanon President Joseph Own also issued a statement addressing the issue.
“The Republic’s presidency expresses regret for the statements that have been misrepresented by one of its guests from today’s platform. While reaffirming the absolute respect for human dignity in general, it is renewing its full appreciation to all accredited journalists and media representatives in particular, contributing to their efforts for their efforts and hard work.
Barrack made a statement at a press conference in Babuda. This followed a meeting with Aoun and Lebanese officials, focusing on efforts to disarm Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamic resistance movement.
“We have different rules. Stay quiet for a while. I want to say something to you. The moment we started to be confused like animals, we were gone. Do you want to know what’s going on? “This is a question of what’s going on in this area,” he said.
Barack has previously issued a controversial statement to the Lebanese media.
A few weeks ago, he suggested that if Beirut wasn’t moving away to disarm Hezbollah, Syrian forces could launch an invasion of Lebanon.
Barrack, a close associate of President Donald Trump, who previously held a meeting with Jeffrey Epstein, is now a special envoy for the Syrian and Turkish ambassadors.
He is the latest US diplomatic figure to spearhead Washington’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah.
The Lebanese Cabinet adopted a decision on August 5 to disarm Hezbollah by the end of this year. The Lebanese Army (LAF) is planning to present an implementation plan to the government next week.
Hezbollah has rejected the Cabinet’s decision and continues to seek dialogue with the state on the formation of a national defense strategy that will allow the weapons to be incorporated into Lebanese forces and that the country can be used in the event of attack.
The resistance ensures that such a strategy will become reachable, but refuses to discuss the issue while Israel continues to attack South Lebanon and occupy some positions near the border in violation of a ceasefire. Washington has called for disarmament before Israeli forces retreat from the south.
Since reaching the ceasefire in November 2024, more than 200 people have been killed by Israel.