BEIRUT (AP) \u2014 A U.S. diplomat apologized Thursday for using the word \u201canimalistic\u201d while calling for a gaggle of reporters to quiet down during a press conference in Lebanon earlier this week.<\/p>\n
Tom Barrack, who is the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and envoy to Syria and has also been on a temporary assignment in Lebanon, said he didn\u2019t intend to use the word \u201cin a derogatory manner\u201d but that his comments had been \u201cinappropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barrack visited Beirut along with a delegation of U.S. officials on Tuesday to discuss efforts by the Lebanese government to disarm the Hezbollah militant group and implementation of the ceasefire agreement that ended the latest war between Israel and the Hezbollah in November.<\/p>\n
At the start of a press conference at the presidential palace, journalists shouted at Barrack to move to the podium after he started speaking from another spot in the room. After taking the podium Barrack told the crowd of journalists to \u201cact civilized, act kind, act tolerant.\u201d He threatened to end the conference early otherwise.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe moment that this starts becoming chaotic, like animalistic, we\u2019re gone,\u201d said Barrack.<\/p>\n
The comment sparked an outcry, with the Lebanese press syndicate calling for an apology and calling for a boycott of Barrack\u2019s visits if none was issued. The Presidential Palace also issued a statement expressing regret for the comments made by \u201cone of our guests\u201d and thanking journalists for their \u201chard work.\u201d<\/p>\n