Statement to the Press by Special Envoy George J. Mitchell
US Embassy Release September 17, 2010, Presidential Palace, Baabda, Lebanon.
Let me begin by thanking President Sleiman and the other officials of the government of Lebanon, with whom I’ve met for their courtesy and hospitality.
The purpose of my visit has been to update the President of Lebanon and other senior officials on the status of the Palestinian-Israeli talks and to consult with Lebanon’s leaders and United Nations officials on peacekeeping matters and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
I made clear my firm belief that comprehensive peace will travel the full distance from hope to reality. As President Obama has said, comprehensive peace includes Palestinian-Israeli peace, but also Syria and Israel, and also Lebanon and Israel agreeing to peace, as well as the full normalization of relations between Israel and its neighbors. That’s the vision at the heart of the Arab Peace Initiative that was signed here in Beirut in 2002.
We are aware of the challenges, the obstacles and the many difficulties. But as difficult as this task may be, the alternative to peace is far worse. So we have no choice but to work together as friends and allies for a better future for this region and all of its people. There are some who are determined to disrupt these efforts. We are determined to see this process through.
We believe that Lebanon is a vital part of the comprehensive Middle East peace that President Obama seeks and that the Arab Peace Initiative calls for.
The United States has great respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and for Lebanon’s role in comprehensive peace. As I have said previously, the United States does not and will not support the forced naturalization of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
The central point, however, is that without Lebanon there will not be comprehensive peace in this region. In my discussions with Lebanese leaders and United Nations officials, I have also focused on peacekeeping issues. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 calls, among other things, for a permanent ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, and for the area south of the Litani River to be free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL. I have assured Lebanese leaders and United Nations officials of our full and active and support for the attainment of these objectives for the complete implementation of that resolution.
Moreover, I have assured the senior leaders of this country of our strong desire to maintain a close relationship with the Lebanese Armed Forces. The Lebanese Armed Forces is the symbol of one, united Lebanon, and plays a large part in the hopes and aspirations of the Lebanese people.
Finally, on a personal note, I would like to note with great pleasure the arrival of Ambassador Connelly as the new ambassador of the United States to Lebanon. She is a person with whom I have worked closely for some time and for whom I have the highest admiration and respect. I am certain that our two governments and two peoples will benefit immeasurably from her service here in Lebanon. Welcome, Ambassador Connelly.
I very much look forward to continuing my discussions with President Sleiman and other Lebanese leaders in the future. I just told the President that we will keep him and this government fully informed at all stages of this process and we will make certain that Lebanese sovereignty is protected. We hope very much to be part of an effort that ends by producing comprehensive peace in the region, for all people and all countries, including Lebanon.
Thank you all very much.
Let me begin by thanking President Sleiman and the other officials of the government of Lebanon, with whom I’ve met for their courtesy and hospitality.
The purpose of my visit has been to update the President of Lebanon and other senior officials on the status of the Palestinian-Israeli talks and to consult with Lebanon’s leaders and United Nations officials on peacekeeping matters and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
I made clear my firm belief that comprehensive peace will travel the full distance from hope to reality. As President Obama has said, comprehensive peace includes Palestinian-Israeli peace, but also Syria and Israel, and also Lebanon and Israel agreeing to peace, as well as the full normalization of relations between Israel and its neighbors. That’s the vision at the heart of the Arab Peace Initiative that was signed here in Beirut in 2002.
We are aware of the challenges, the obstacles and the many difficulties. But as difficult as this task may be, the alternative to peace is far worse. So we have no choice but to work together as friends and allies for a better future for this region and all of its people. There are some who are determined to disrupt these efforts. We are determined to see this process through.
We believe that Lebanon is a vital part of the comprehensive Middle East peace that President Obama seeks and that the Arab Peace Initiative calls for.
The United States has great respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and for Lebanon’s role in comprehensive peace. As I have said previously, the United States does not and will not support the forced naturalization of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
The central point, however, is that without Lebanon there will not be comprehensive peace in this region. In my discussions with Lebanese leaders and United Nations officials, I have also focused on peacekeeping issues. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 calls, among other things, for a permanent ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, and for the area south of the Litani River to be free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL. I have assured Lebanese leaders and United Nations officials of our full and active and support for the attainment of these objectives for the complete implementation of that resolution.
Moreover, I have assured the senior leaders of this country of our strong desire to maintain a close relationship with the Lebanese Armed Forces. The Lebanese Armed Forces is the symbol of one, united Lebanon, and plays a large part in the hopes and aspirations of the Lebanese people.
Finally, on a personal note, I would like to note with great pleasure the arrival of Ambassador Connelly as the new ambassador of the United States to Lebanon. She is a person with whom I have worked closely for some time and for whom I have the highest admiration and respect. I am certain that our two governments and two peoples will benefit immeasurably from her service here in Lebanon. Welcome, Ambassador Connelly.
I very much look forward to continuing my discussions with President Sleiman and other Lebanese leaders in the future. I just told the President that we will keep him and this government fully informed at all stages of this process and we will make certain that Lebanese sovereignty is protected. We hope very much to be part of an effort that ends by producing comprehensive peace in the region, for all people and all countries, including Lebanon.
Thank you all very much.
posted by philippe at 12:00 PM
<< Home