Lebanese minister apologises to Egypt for 'misinterpretation' of statements

Lebanon’s tourism minister, Avedis Guidanian, apologised on Monday to Egypt his recent statements to the country’s Daily Star, criticising Egypt’s cleanliness and living conditions.

“Look at Egypt – is there a place dirtier than it? People are louder than us, there is more traffic than here – people live in graves,” Guidanian told Lebanon’s Daily Star.

During his interview, Guidanian criticised the Lebanese media, which he said: “were harming his country’s image and hindering tourism.”

“My statements to the Daily Star were misinterpreted,” the minister stressed, reiterating: “I apologise to the Egyptian presidency, government, and people.”

Guidanian was also reported to have visited the Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon yesterday.

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