Barrack apologized for calling journalists "animals"

US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Representative for Syria Thomas Barrack apologized for using the term "animal" toward journalists during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, last Tuesday. In an interview, the US ambassador said, "The word 'animal' wasn't an insult. I was simply saying, 'Can we calm down a little? Can you show some understanding and kindness? Let's be civil.' However, it was inappropriate for me to do this while members of the press were doing their job. I should have been more generous with my time and a little more tolerant."

BARRACK: THE MOMENT THIS STARTS BECOMING CHAOTIC AND ANIMAL, WE'RE OUT

Barrack visited Lebanon after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that the Israeli army could withdraw from areas it controls in southern Lebanon if the Lebanese government agreed to disarm Hezbollah. Barrack's statements followed a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut. At a subsequent press conference, Barrack, irritated by the journalists' frequent simultaneous questions, rebuked the journalists . "Please, be quiet for a moment. I want to tell you something. The moment this gets chaotic, the moment it gets brutal, we're out. Do you want to know what's going on? Be civil, be kind, be tolerant. Because that's the problem with what's happening in the region," he said. He then asked the reporters, " Do you think this is fun for us? Do you think it's beneficial for us to endure this madness here?"

Barrack, who is of Lebanese descent, sparked widespread backlash on social media, with his remarks being labeled "racist." Journalist Hala Jaber reacted strongly to Barrack's statements , saying, "Barrack enters Beirut like a 19th-century colonial commissioner, calling Lebanese journalists 'animals.' He lectures us on 'civilization' and blames everything on 'our region.' This isn't just arrogance; it's racism. You don't govern this country, and you can't insult its people."

Source: ANKA