The Lebanese Press Editors Syndicate has demanded a public apology from US envoy Tom Barrack, in response to comments he made describing journalists at the presidential palace as “animalistic.”

“Once again, the Lebanese media has been subjected to treatment that is, to say the least, beyond the pale of decency and diplomacy. What is even more unfortunate is that it was perpetrated by an envoy of a major power who is, as is well known, performing a diplomatic role,” the syndicate said in a statement on 26 August, hours after the press conference at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, the Cradle reported. 

It expressed its shock that Barrack “described the behavior of media personnel at the presidential palace as animalistic,” adding that his remarks were “completely unacceptable, indeed deeply reprehensible, and prompt the Syndicate of Editors to issue this statement directed specifically at Mr. Barrack and at US diplomatic officials in general.”

The statement called on the US envoy to “rectify his actions by issuing a public apology to the media.”

“Failure to issue such a statement could prompt the Lebanese Press Editors Syndicate to call for a boycott of the US envoy's visits and meetings, as a first step toward making it clear to all concerned that the dignity of journalism and journalists is not cheap and that no envoy, no matter how high his rank, can transgress it,” the syndicate concluded. 

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also made a statement addressing the matter.

“The Presidency of the Republic expresses its regret for the remarks that were inadvertently uttered from its platform today by one of its guests. While reaffirming its absolute respect for human dignity in general, it wishes to renew its full appreciation for all accredited journalists and media representatives in particular, and extends to them its heartfelt greetings for their efforts and hard work in fulfilling their professional and national duty,” the statement said.

Barrack made the remarks at a press conference in Baabda, following meetings with Aoun and Lebanese officials focused on efforts to disarm Lebanon’s Islamic resistance movement, Hezbollah. 

“We’re gonna have a different set of rules. Please be quiet for a moment. I wanna tell you something, the moment this starts to get chaotic – like animalistic – we’re gone. You wanna know what’s happening? Act civilized, act kind, act tolerant,” Barrack said, in response to customary journalistic behavior during a press conference, such as loud voices and overlapping questions. “This is the problem with what's happening in the region,” he went on to say.

Barrack has made controversial statements to Lebanese media before. 

Several weeks ago, he suggested that Syrian forces may launch an invasion against Lebanon if Beirut did not move quickly to disarm Hezbollah. 

Barrack, a close associate of US President Donald Trump who previously held meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, is now special envoy to Syria and ambassador to Turkey. 
He is the latest US diplomatic figure to spearhead Washington’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah. 

The Lebanese Cabinet adopted a decision on 5 August to disarm Hezbollah by the end of this year. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is expected to present an implementation plan to the government next week. 

Hezbollah has rejected the cabinet decision and continues to call for dialogue with the state on the formation of a national defense strategy that will see its arms incorporated into the Lebanese army and be available for use if the country is attacked.

The resistance movement is demanding guarantees that such a strategy will be reachable, but refuses to discuss the matter while Israel continues to attack south Lebanon and occupy several positions near the border in violation of the ceasefire. Washington has demanded disarmament before any withdrawal of Israeli troops from the south.

Over 200 people have been killed by Israel since the ceasefire was reached in November 2024.