A selfie that united Miss Lebanon and Miss Israel - two beauty queens representing countries that technically remain at war - is unlikely to contribute to reconciliation in the Middle East, the Daily Mail reported.

Not only did the photograph cause a major controversy in Lebanon, but the country's Miss Universe contestant now claims that her Israeli counterpart "chased" her for days in an attempt to take the snapshot.

During the Miss Universe pageant held in Miami, Doron Matalon "was trying from the beginning to reach Saly (Greige) and to have a selfie with her during the 20 days they stayed there," Greige's agent, Richard Pharaon, told the British newspaper.

"Saly refused, of course, since she's perfectly aware of the conflict with Israel and the whole situation in Lebanon," the promoter noted. "After trying many times to take a selfie with Miss Lebanon, Miss Israel finally succeeded - without Miss Lebanon's approval, of course. Saly was running away from her all the time since she was being chased by her."

Greige "stands for her country no matter what," Pharaon insisted. The Lebanese beauty queen had been so heavily criticized at home that even the country's tourism minister rushed to her defense, the Daily Star, a local newspaper, noted.

"According to the information we obtained, Miss Lebanon did not have bad intentions that necessitates her being stripped of her title or punishment," Michel Pharaon said in a televised news conference. "(She) has been the subject of a racist and random campaign. I see that we should support her."

Israel is considered an enemy state in Lebanon, and any contact with citizens of the neighboring country is prohibited by law, the Daily Star explained.

Miss Israel, meanwhile, took to Facebook to give her version of the story, the Daily Mail said. The incident did not surprise her but still made her "sad," Doron wrote.

"Too bad you cannot put the hostility out of the game, (if) only for three weeks of an experience of a lifetime (during which) we can meet girls from around the world and also from the neighboring country," the Israeli beauty queen added.