UPDATE - US envoy cancels scheduled tour of southern Lebanon

UPDATES WITH DETAILS, CHANGES HEADLINE

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack canceled his scheduled tour of the southern Lebanese towns of Khiam and Tyre on Wednesday, local media said.

The state news agency NNA, however, did not provide any details about the reason for canceling the trip.

Barrack had arrived in Marjayoun aboard a helicopter on Wednesday morning. Details on the agenda of his visit were not immediately available.

The Lebanese army was deployed in the vicinity of Francois Hajj Barracks and at the northern entrance of Khiam town to secure the US envoy’s visit.

Barrack, on his visit to Lebanon, is accompanied by US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Lindsey Graham, as well as Congressman Joe Wilson.

He triggered outrage and calls for an apology on Tuesday after telling a group of local journalists to “act civilized” after meeting Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun in Beirut to discuss plans for the disarmament of Hezbollah.