New Officers Join Community Policing Program

June 28, 2012 - The joint U.S. and Internal Security Forces (ISF) Community Policing training program held a graduation for 132 ISF officers today. The Community Policing program is an eight-week training course taught by U.S. and Lebanese police instructors with the assistance of legal professionals.  ISF officers learn the latest policing, law enforcement, and community relations skills and how to implement them effectively in real situations.

The community policing model promotes the development of partnerships between law enforcement and the Lebanese people and institutions they serve in order to increase trust and confidence in the police and address the underlying causes of crime by developing solutions to problems facing the community at large.

The United States' $132 million multi-year law enforcement assistance program in Lebanon is designed to support reform in the Lebanese law enforcement sector by strengthening the capacity of the ISF to enforce the rule of law in Lebanon and to protect the Lebanese people.  A professional and responsive police force also strengthens Lebanon's sovereignty, independence and stability.

The U.S. assistance program strengthens the ISF and is part of the overall U.S. security assistance program to Lebanon.  Since 2008, U.S. instruction teams have trained over 8500 ISF members.

U.S. Ambassador Meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs

June 28, 2012 - U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met today with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Adnan Mansour at the Minister's offices in Achrafieh.  Ambassador Connelly and Minister Mansour discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events. The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

U.S. Ambassador Meets with Speaker Berri

June 28, 2012 - U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with President of the Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih Berri at his offices in Ain Tineh today.  They discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.  The Ambassador reiterated that the United States welcomes all efforts to strengthen national unity and stability in Lebanon. 
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

U.S. Ambassador Meets with President

June 27, 2012 - U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with President Michel Sleiman at the President's offices in Baabda today.  They discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events. 
The Ambassador reiterated that the United States welcomes the President's leadership in relaunching the National Dialogue in the context of efforts to strengthen national unity and stability in Lebanon.
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.




 

Ambassador Connelly Meets ISF General Rifi

June 26 2012 - U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met today with the Commander of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) General Ashraf Rifi in his offices at ISF headquarters. Ambassador Connelly and the General discussed the security situation in Lebanon and U.S. support for the ISF.

Ambassador Connelly expressed the United States' dedication to assist the ISF to develop into a modern professional police force that serves and protects all of Lebanon's citizens. She expressed the United States' appreciation for the efforts of the ISF and the Lebanese Armed Forces to work together to maintain calm in Lebanon.

She renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

U.S. Ambassador Meets with the Prime Minister

June 25 2012 - U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met today with Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail.  Ambassador Connelly and the Prime Minister discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.  She also consulted the Prime Minister on the Rio+20 conference.

She expressed the United States' appreciation for the efforts of the Lebanese government as well as the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces to work together to maintain calm in Lebanon.  She called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's stability and security.

The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

June 25, 2012
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met today with Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail.  Ambassador Connelly and the Prime Minister discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.  She also consulted the Prime Minister on the Rio+20 conference.
She expressed the United States' appreciation for the efforts of the Lebanese government as well as the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces to work together to maintain calm in Lebanon.  She called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's stability and security.
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

Chargé Mills Meets Minister of Interior Marwan Charbel

June 18, 2012 - Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Richard M. Mills, Jr., met with Minister of Interior and Municipalities Marwan Charbel today at the Minister's offices in Hamra. Mr. Mills and the Minister discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and the current situation in Syria. They also discussed U.S. support for training the Internal Security Forces and the issue of trafficking-in-persons.
Mr. Mills highlighted the issue of trafficking-in-persons and global efforts to combat it. He welcomed the Lebanese government's enactment of an anti-trafficking law and encouraged the government to implement the law and to undertake further efforts to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute violators.
Mr. Mills further expressed the United States' dedication to strengthening the Internal Security Forces (ISF) as a modern professional police force that serves and protects all of Lebanon's citizens. He expressed the United States' appreciation for the efforts of the ISF and the Lebanese Armed Forces to work together to maintain calm in Lebanon. Mr. Mills underscored that the U.S. remains concerned that developments in Syria not contribute to instability in Lebanon.
He renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.
 

Secretary Clinton's Call with Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
June 15, 2012
Yesterday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke by telephone with former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. The two discussed recent security incidents in Lebanon, the crisis in Syria, and steps the United States, the Government of Lebanon, and former Prime Minister Hariri might take to improve the situation. The Secretary expressed concern over heightened tensions in Lebanon and noted the importance of all
Lebanese political parties supporting efforts to promote calm and stability. Secretary Clinton stressed the United States' commitment to a
stable, independent, and sovereign Lebanon.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Kelly Clements Visits Lebanon

June 14, 2012 -Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Kelly Clements completed her visit to Lebanon today where she met with senior officials to discuss and monitor the status of Palestinian and Iraqi refugees and displaced Syrians present in Lebanon.  This was Ms. Clements' second visit to Lebanon as Deputy Assistant Secretary.  

Ms. Clements had meetings with Higher Relief Council Secretary General General Ibrahim Bachir, senior representatives of President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati, United Nations officials, including UN Resident Representative Robert Watkins, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Lebanon Representative Ninette Kelley, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Acting Director Roger Davies, and non-governmental leaders.

In her meetings, Ms. Clements welcomed the work of the Higher Relief Council to assist those in need and she urged the Lebanese government to continue to work closely with the international community to address the humanitarian needs and to ensure the safety of displaced Syrians in Lebanon.  She underscored the United States' continuing commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria in their country and those who have fled violence to neighboring countries.  During this fiscal year, the United States has provided $52 million in emergency aid through contributions to international and non-governmental partners.

She reiterated the United States' steadfast support to Palestinian and Iraqi refugees in the region.  Ms. Clements further renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

U.S. Ambassador Meets with the Prime Minister

June 1 2012 - U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met today with Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail. Ambassador Connelly and the Prime Minister discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.

The Ambassador condemned the massacre in Houla. The United States holds the Syrian regime responsible and underscores the regime's continued violations of its United Nations Security Council obligations and the Annan six-point plan.

She expressed the United States' appreciation for the efforts of the Lebanese government as well as the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces to work together to maintain calm in Lebanon. She called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's stability and security.

The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.