Statement by Ambassador Maura Connelly After Meeting with Prime Minister Hariri

US Embassy Press Release Oct 8 2010, I have just come from meeting with Prime Minister Hariri where we had a very productive conversation about the current situation in Lebanon. I reaffirmed to the Prime Minister the commitment of the United States to a sovereign, independent Lebanon, with strong and effective state institutions. It is our most important priority. The United States believes strongly that our bilateral security and economic assistance to Lebanon serves to deepen our partnership with the Lebanese government and to help build strong state institutions and a vibrant civil society. A strong, sovereign, and stable Lebanon is in the interests of all – the Lebanese people, the region, the United States and the international community, and we are concerned by any act that would undermine this sovereignty and stability.

The United States echoes the statements by the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Governments of France, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, in supporting the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. We believe that the Tribunal should be allowed to complete its work on its own timeline and without outside interference. The Tribunal is a non-political, independent organization that was formed by an agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Lebanon. It was set up as a non-political body to end the era of impunity for political assassinations in Lebanon, and its work should continue until those responsible for the assassinations of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and others are brought to justice.