Statement to the Press of Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy
US Embassy Release September 22, 2010.
Let me begin by thanking Prime Minister Hariri for his courtesy and hospitality during my visit to Lebanon today. This is my first official visit to Lebanon. I had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister and look forward to meeting with officials from the Ministry of Defense and UNIFIL later today.
I came to Lebanon to reiterate to Prime Minster Hariri and the government of Lebanon that the United States remains fully committed to Lebanese sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity and the full implementation of Security Council resolutions 1559, 1680, and 1701. We remain determined to work with the Lebanese government to extend its authority over all of Lebanon, and to advance political and economic reforms that benefit the people of Lebanon.
This commitment includes U.S. support to the Lebanese Armed Forces, which is part of an international effort to help strengthen the institutions of the Lebanese state and the ability of the Lebanese Government to exercise its sovereignty and authority over all of its territory. We are working closely with members of the U.S. Congress to resolve the concerns they have over this assistance.
All of our bilateral security and economic assistance to Lebanon serves to deepen our partnership with the Lebanese government and to help build the strong state institutions that must act as the guarantor of Lebanon’s future. A strong, sovereign, stable Lebanon is vital to the stability of the entire region and is in the interest of everyone -- the country of Lebanon, the region, the United States and the international community as a whole.
Thank you all very much.
Let me begin by thanking Prime Minister Hariri for his courtesy and hospitality during my visit to Lebanon today. This is my first official visit to Lebanon. I had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister and look forward to meeting with officials from the Ministry of Defense and UNIFIL later today.
I came to Lebanon to reiterate to Prime Minster Hariri and the government of Lebanon that the United States remains fully committed to Lebanese sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity and the full implementation of Security Council resolutions 1559, 1680, and 1701. We remain determined to work with the Lebanese government to extend its authority over all of Lebanon, and to advance political and economic reforms that benefit the people of Lebanon.
This commitment includes U.S. support to the Lebanese Armed Forces, which is part of an international effort to help strengthen the institutions of the Lebanese state and the ability of the Lebanese Government to exercise its sovereignty and authority over all of its territory. We are working closely with members of the U.S. Congress to resolve the concerns they have over this assistance.
All of our bilateral security and economic assistance to Lebanon serves to deepen our partnership with the Lebanese government and to help build the strong state institutions that must act as the guarantor of Lebanon’s future. A strong, sovereign, stable Lebanon is vital to the stability of the entire region and is in the interest of everyone -- the country of Lebanon, the region, the United States and the international community as a whole.
Thank you all very much.
posted by philippe at 4:18 AM
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