US envoy lectures Lebanese journalists on ‘animalistic’ behavior (VIDEO)

The controversial remarks, delivered at a press conference on Tuesday following talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, drew sharp condemnation from media organizations, political figures, and the country’s presidency itself.

“The moment this starts becoming chaotic, like animalistic, we’re gone,” Barrack told reporters as they shouted questions during a crowded briefing. “Act civilized, act kind, act tolerant, because this is the problem with what’s happening in the region,” he added.

His words were met with anger in the press room and quickly prompted a wider backlash. The Lebanese presidency issued a statement on X expressing “regret for the statements inadvertently made from its platform by one of its guests,” while reaffirming “its full appreciation for all journalists and accredited media representatives.”

Information Minister Paul Morcos also voiced regret, calling the remarks “inappropriate.”

Lebanese journalist associations were less diplomatic. The photojournalists’ syndicate described the envoy’s words as a “direct insult” that set “a serious and totally unacceptable precedent,” and demanded “an immediate and public apology,” warning that otherwise it could urge a boycott of Barrack’s visits.

The union of journalists said the remarks reflected “unacceptable arrogance in dealing with the media.”

Several prominent reporters condemned the envoy personally. Veteran correspondent Hala Jaber accused Barrack of behaving “like a nineteenth-century colonial commissioner,” while journalist Ali Hashem said his words showed “the level of arrogance displayed by US officials in Lebanon.”

Ibrahim Musawi, a Hezbollah lawmaker and head of parliament’s media committee, called the statement a “blatant insult” and urged the government to summon and reprimand the American diplomat.

Barrack was leading a congressional delegation that included Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Jeanne Shaheen as part of Washington’s campaign to pressure Hezbollah to disarm. As of Wednesday, the US Embassy in Beirut had not commented publicly on the controversy.