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Miss Lebanon under fire for selfie with Miss Israel at world pageant

Associated Press
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FILE - in this Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 file photo, Miss Israel, Doron Matalon, poses for photos after she painted her country's name on a wall in Miami's Wynwood area. Explosive confrontations are nothing new for Israel and Lebanon, but the latest spat between the longtime foes is perhaps the first to have been caused by an alleged photo-bomb. A seemingly innocuous selfie at the Miss Universe pageant in Miami has sparked criticism in Lebanon because it featured a smiling Miss Lebanon alongside Miss Israel. The Israeli beauty queen, Doron Matalon, posted a picture of herself with colleagues from Japan, Slovakia and Lebanon on her Instagram account. The result? A formal Lebanese investigation into the scandal. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 file photo, Miss Lebanon, Saly Greige, poses for photos after she painted on a wall in Miami's Wynwood area. Explosive confrontations are nothing new for Israel and Lebanon, but the latest spat between the longtime foes is perhaps the first to have been caused by an alleged photo-bomb. A seemingly innocuous selfie at the Miss Universe pageant in Miami has sparked criticism in Lebanon because it featured a smiling Miss Lebanon alongside Miss Israel. The Israeli beauty queen, Doron Matalon, posted a picture of herself with colleagues from Japan, Slovakia and Lebanon on her Instagram account. The result? A formal Lebanese investigation into the scandal. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File) (The Associated Press)

Explosive confrontations are nothing new for Israel and Lebanon, but the latest spat between the longtime foes is perhaps the first to have been caused by an alleged photo-bomb.

A seemingly innocuous selfie at the Miss Universe pageant in Miami has sparked criticism in Lebanon because it featured a smiling Miss Lebanon alongside Miss Israel. The Israeli beauty queen, Doron Matalon, posted a picture of herself with colleagues from Japan, Slovakia and Lebanon on her Instagram account. The result? A formal Lebanese investigation into the scandal.

Lebanese Tourism Minister Michel Pharon told The Associated Press that "if there was bad intentions" from Saly Greige, measures could be taken against her. In her defense, Miss Lebanon says she was photo-bombed.

Matalon said she was saddened by the reaction.