Alberta Premier Ralph Klein has apologized to an Edmonton homeless men's shelter after making an unannounced late night visit and arguing with residents.

At least one shelter resident says the premier slurred as he swore and yelled at the men to get jobs.

"All I can say is that if I caused any inconvenience or any uproar I certainly apologize," Klein said in a Thursday interview with the Edmonton Journal. "But there was no malice intended whatsoever."

Klein said he was headed home Wednesday around midnight with his bodyguard driver, after a night out with friends. Klein says he had some wine with dinner but insists he wasn't drunk, just "in good spirits.'' When they drove past the inner-city Herb Jamieson Centre, Klein asked his driver to pull over.

"The purpose of my visit was to chat with residents and find out what their situations are like,'' Klein said in the statement Friday. "During my time in politics, I have periodically made such unscheduled visits because they give me the opportunity to chat privately and honestly with people from different walks of life."

When he and the driver entered the shelter, they found about six men in the foyer sleeping on the floor. As part of the shelter's zero-tolerance policy against alcohol, men are not allowed into the sleeping area if they've been drinking, as some on the floor had. But they are allowed into the foyer to keep warm at night.

Klein said he started asking the men about being homeless. Everyone was friendly until one man woke up and started arguing about government help for the homeless, he said.

It was then that Mark Shea, 26, walked into the shelter. He had just finished the late shift at a gas station and wanted a bed for the night. Shea says Klein was was in the middle of the group, yelling at the men at the top of his lungs.

Klein was slurring, Shea says, and he was shouting outrageous things as he leaned on his driver, telling the residents of the shelter to get jobs.

Klein admits he was argumentative.

"I regret that on this occasion, my visit was disruptive, and I intend to send a personal letter of apology to the residents and staff of the centre,'' Klein's statement says

He said he gave the men about $70 as a kind gesture. But witnesses say Klein threw cash on the floor as he left.

Klein said he went home thinking it had been a good visit. He says he's concerned about the plight of the homeless and will review government programs for them.