Angry Protests Force American Envoy to Cancel Tour in Southern Lebanon

The American envoy Tom Barak canceled his scheduled tour today, Wednesday, in the towns of Khiam and Tyre in southern Lebanon, following popular protests rejecting his visit, according to the National News Agency.

Barak arrived this morning at the Francois al-Hajj barracks in the Marjeyoun area by helicopter, amid a heavy presence of the Lebanese army in the area and at the northern entrance of the town of Khiam, in an attempt to secure the envoy's visit and counter the popular calls for demonstrations.

Barak's visit came at a time when southern Lebanon was experiencing escalating security tensions, as Israeli forces carried out an explosion operation inside the border town of Kfar Kila early this morning, where a security source reported hearing a loud explosion at 4:30 AM, the echoes of which were heard in the towns of the Marjeyoun district.

In the Khiam area, a number of residents held a protest gathering at the town's entrance, during which they raised pictures of the martyrs of the resistance, expressing their firm rejection of the American envoy's visit and their condemnation of American policies, which they consider biased towards Israel and supportive of its aggression against Lebanon.

In a related context, Barak sparked widespread controversy after warning Lebanese journalists against behaving "like animals," prompting the Lebanese Journalists' Syndicate to demand an official apology from him.

Barak's brief visit came amid these charged atmospheres that reflect the depth of popular resentment towards American interventions and its support for Israel, confirming the continuation of tensions in the region.