A top US diplomat, Tom Barrack, has triggered widespread outrage and calls for an apology in Lebanon after telling a group of local journalists to “act civilised” during a press briefing.
Barrack, the United States ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, made the comments on Tuesday after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut to discuss plans for the disarmament of Hezbollah.
During the briefing, Barrack chided reporters for shouting out questions all at once and drew a link between their behavior and conflict in the Middle East. “we’re going to have a different set of rules… please be quiet for a moment,”
Barrack said. “And I want to tell you something, the moment this starts becoming chaotic, like animalistic, we’re gone. So, you want to know what’s happening? Act civilised, act kind, act tolerant, because this is the problem with what is happening in the region.”
Barrack added that he would provide responses to questions in line with the journalists’ behavior, stating, “In cadence with your kindness, your interest and your thoughtful questions, we’ll give you responses. If that’s not how you’d like to operate, we’re gone.”
The remarks prompted a swift backlash in Lebanon and beyond, with commentators accusing the diplomat of displaying arrogance and a colonial mentality.
Mohamad Hasan Sweidan, a Beirut-based columnist at The Cradle, said Barrack’s comments reflected Washington’s attitude towards the region. “Today, Tom Barrack is reminding us how they view people of the region by defining their actions as animalistic,” Sweidan told newsmen.
The Lebanese Presidency expressed regret over the comments, saying in a statement that the government has “full appreciation for all journalists” and “extends to them its highest regards for their efforts and dedication in fulfilling their professional and national duties”.
The Union of Journalists in Lebanon called on Lebanese and Arab media outlets to boycott future events involving the envoy until he issues a formal public apology.
The union’s statement emphasized that Barrack’s comments were not just a slip of the tongue but rather a reflection of an unacceptable superiority in dealing with the media and an implicit disdain for the essence of journalistic work.
Furthermore, the content of his remarks reflects ingrained colonial arrogance towards the peoples of the region and constitutes a blatant violation of basic diplomatic etiquette and the values that diplomacy should represent.
The controversy surrounding Barrack’s comments comes amid ongoing discussions about the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s government has endorsed a US-backed proposal for Hezbollah’s disarmament, despite the group’s warnings that the plan serves Israel’s interests.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has rejected disarmament, demanding that Israel comply with a ceasefire. The situation remains complex, with Israel continuing to carry out near-daily violations of the truce.
The US Department of State did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the controversy surrounding Barrack’s remarks.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Barrack’s comments will impact the already sensitive relations between the US and Lebanon.
One thing is certain, however: the reaction to Barrack’s words has sparked a significant conversation about diplomacy, journalism, and the complex dynamics at play in the region.