Ambassador Connelly Meets with former President Gemayel, Minister Harb

February 8, 2011. Ambassador Connelly held separate meetings today with former President Amine Gemayel and caretaker Minister of Labor Boutros Harb to discuss recent political developments in Lebanon. In both meetings, Ambassador Connelly stressed the view of the United States that the formation of the government is an exclusively Lebanese process that should remain free from coercion, intimidation and threats of violence from both inside and outside Lebanon. Ambassador Connelly called on the international community to continue to support Lebanon’s sovereignty, stability, and independence as the constitutional process of forming a new government unfolds.

The nature of the United States’ relationship with the new government will be determined by that government’s composition, policy statement, and behavior. The international community has made clear its expectation that the next government of Lebanon should live up to its international obligations, including the full implementation of all Lebanon-related Security Council resolutions, and uphold Lebanon’s commitment to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The work of the Tribunal is of vital importance to the stability and security of Lebanon, and its work must continue. Any government that claims to be truly representative of all of Lebanon would find it impossible to abandon the Tribunal’s efforts to end the era of impunity for assassinations in the country.