A senior American diplomat has expressed regret over comments made to journalists during a press briefing in Lebanon earlier this week. Tom Barak, who was part of a U.S. delegation visiting Beirut, addressed the controversy during a subsequent interview.
The incident occurred during a press conference at the Lebanese Presidential Palace, where Barak had urged journalists to maintain order, warning that the delegation would leave if the event became “chaotic.” His remarks drew immediate criticism from Lebanese media organizations, with the press syndicate demanding an apology and calling for a boycott of his visits.
In his recent interview, Barak clarified that he did not use the specific phrase “like cattle,” but acknowledged that his comments were inappropriate given that journalists were simply performing their duties. The Presidential Palace also issued a statement expressing regret over the incident while thanking journalists for their professional work.
The U.S. delegation’s visit to Beirut was focused on discussions regarding disarmament efforts and ceasefire initiatives in the region.
