A selfie between two beauty queen contestants from warring nations has caused international outrage.
Lebanon’s Miss Universe contestant has come under fire over a group selfie in which she appears with Miss Israel, leading to several calls for her to be stripped off her title.
Saly Greige, 25, has been forced to apologise for the selfie, taken by Miss Israel, Doron Matalon, as they prepare to take part in the upcoming pageant in Miami.
Those from Lebanon are forbidden from socialising with Israelis due to tension between the two nations.
In a statement issued on her Facebook page, Miss Greige said: “Since the first day of my arrival to participate to Miss Universe, I was very cautious to avoid being in any photo or communication with Miss Israel.”
The contestant claimed that Israel’s Doron Matalon ‘tried several times to have a photo’ with her, before posting one online.
The photo shows the pair smiling side by side along with other contestants.
The Lebanese government, in a statement, said it would ‘launch an investigation’ following the selfie being published.
In response to Miss Greige’s apology, Miss Israel said: “It doesn’t surprise me, but it still makes me sad.
“Too bad you cannot put the hostility out of the game, only for three weeks of an experience of a lifetime that we can meet girls from around the world and also from the neighboring country.”
