The scene began with the arrival of the US envoy to Lebanon, Tom Barrack, and his deputy, Morgan Ortagus. The latter captured the journalists’ attention due to her hairstyle after a video of her styling her hair in Beirut went viral on social media platforms.
Hours later, the American envoy to Lebanon, Tom Barrack, stirred a storm of controversy on social media following his press conference at the Baabda Palace. This was due to what was considered a direct insult to the journalists. The Lebanese Press Editors Syndicate issued a statement strongly condemning what it described as “inappropriate treatment” of the Lebanese media, considering the remarks made by the American envoy, Tom Barrack, as “beyond the norms of politeness and diplomacy.”
The syndicate expressed its regret that someone in a diplomatic role would describe the behavior of journalists at the presidential palace as “animalistic,” affirming that such comments are completely unacceptable and entirely rejected.
US envoy Thomas Barrack confirmed that Israel will not withdraw from Lebanese territories before implementing the Lebanese government’s plan to confine weapons to the state’s control. He noted that Tel Aviv will respond to Beirut’s plan by presenting its own plan for withdrawal from Lebanon.
Barrack stated: “Israel will not withdraw from Lebanese territories before implementing the Lebanese government’s plan (to control weapons by the state).” He added, “Israel will take steps similar to the disarmament of Hezbollah, and the Lebanese government will present a plan to disarm Hezbollah, which I believe will succeed. The Lebanese government has identified 11 points and promised to adhere to them, with the first being a plan to disarm Hezbollah.”
Earlier, the Trump administration requested that Israel respond to the Lebanese government’s approval of Hezbollah disarmament plans by limiting its military operations in Lebanon and gradually withdrawing its forces from the positions it still controls in the south, according to the Israeli channel.
