UK ambassador regrets any offense caused by blog post praising late Lebanese cleric

UK envoy regrets offense over blog on late cleric

BEIRUT — Britain’s ambassador to Beirut says she regrets any offense caused by a controversial blog post in which she praised Lebanon’s late leading Shiite cleric.

Frances Guy angered Israelis and embarrassed officials in London after describing Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah as a “true man of religion” and saying the world needs more men like him.

Western media often linked Fadlallah to the militant Hezbollah group. He has supported the group’s and other militants’ attacks on Israel.

Britain’s Foreign Office said Thursday that Guy’s offensive posting had been removed “after mature consideration.”

In a new blog posted later Thursday, Guy said she regretted any offense caused by her attempt to acknowledge the cleric’s “spiritual significance to many.”