Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Notice -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Actions of Certain Persons to Undermine the Sovereignty of Lebanon or its Democratic Processes or Institutions

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

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CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO THE ACTIONS OF CERTAIN PERSONS TO UNDERMINE THE SOVEREIGNTY OF LEBANON OR ITS DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES OR INSTITUTIONS

On August 1, 2007, by Executive Order 13441, the President declared a national emergency and ordered related measures blocking the property of certain persons undermining the sovereignty of Lebanon or its democratic processes or institutions and certain other persons, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706). The President determined that the actions of certain persons to undermine Lebanon's legitimate and democratically elected government or democratic institutions; to contribute to the deliberate breakdown in the rule of law in Lebanon, including through politically motivated violence and intimidation; to reassert Syrian control or contribute to Syrian interference in Lebanon; or to infringe upon or undermine Lebanese sovereignty contribute to political and economic instability in that country and the region and constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.
Certain ongoing activities, such as continuing arms transfers to Hizballah that include increasingly sophisticated weapons systems, serve to undermine Lebanese sovereignty, contribute to political and economic instability in Lebanon, and continue to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Therefore, the national emergency declared on August 1, 2007, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond August 1, 2012. In accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13441.
This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

BARACK OBAMA

Message -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Actions of Certain Persons to Undermine the Sovereignty of Lebanon or its Democratic Processes or Institutions

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency declared with respect to the actions of certain persons to undermine the sovereignty of Lebanon or its democratic processes and institutions is to continue in effect beyond August 1, 2012.
Certain ongoing activities, such as continuing arms transfers to Hizballah that include increasingly sophisticated weapons systems, undermine Lebanese sovereignty, contribute to political and economic instability in the region, and continue to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared on August 1, 2007, to deal with that threat and the related measures adopted on that date to respond to the emergency.

BARACK OBAMA

Friday, July 13, 2012

Question & Answer Session in Beirut

Press Availability
William J. Burns
Deputy Secretary
Beirut, Lebanon
July 13, 2012
Q: Is the U.S. Administration looking into establishing a safe zone in north Lebanon following Senator McCain's call last week?
Burns: My understanding is that Senator McCain was not talking about a safe zone or buffer zone in Lebanese territory. But as I said before, the United States remains deeply concerned about the situation in Syria. The most recent atrocities underscore the importance, the urgent need, for the United Nations Security Council to act, and to act in the way that Kofi Annan has requested, to demonstrate that there are consequences for the Syrian regime for continued noncompliance with its obligations.
Q: Tania Mehanna with the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation. Mr. Burns you were talking about the urgent need for the international community to act and last week Senator McCain was saying unless the United States moves more directly into helping the Syrian opposition the conflict is going to take much longer in Syria. Do you agree with this position and what is the United States Government going to do regarding the situation in Syria now?
Burns: As I said before, and as Secretary Clinton has emphasized in recent days, it's extremely important for the United States along with the rest of the international community to demonstrate a sense of urgency about what's going on in Syria, which is truly horrific. The reality is, as all of you know, that the longer the bloodshed continues in Syria the greater the danger not only for the people of Syria, but for the entire region – the greater the danger that the consequences of strife in Syria are going to spill over. So that's why we believe it's extremely important to move in the UN Security Council on a resolution, which as I said, carries consequences for continued noncompliance. It's extremely important that the international community speak with one voice, because the Assad regime has an unbroken record of broken promises and broken commitments. It's only through a unified commitment and actions which reflect that broad concern in the international community that we're going to see any change in the situation.
 

Delivered Remarks at Press Availability by Deputy Secretary William J. Burns

It's a pleasure to be back in Beirut. I had good meetings with Speaker Berri and Prime Minister Mikati as well as with General Kahwagi and former Prime Minister Siniora. During these meetings, we consulted on developments in Lebanon, and in the region. I just wanted to highlight briefly a few themes from my discussions yesterday and today.

First, in all my meetings, I stressed the United States'strong, continuing commitment to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon. I also conveyed our appreciation for the efforts made by the Lebanese government and political leaders, as well as the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces, to work together to maintain calm in Lebanon amidst the challenges of a changing Middle East. We will continue to support Lebanon, including through our development and public outreach programs, and through our cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces, to help ensure a peaceful and stable future for the Lebanese people.

Second, I welcomed Lebanon's payment of its 012 contribution to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, a step that represents an important demonstration of Lebanon's commitment to its international obligations. The work of the Tribunal is a chance for Lebanon to move beyond its long history of impunity for political violence.

Finally, we discussed the deteriorating situation in Syria and recent security incidents in Lebanon. Reports of a massacre at Treimsa in Syria yesterday are yet another horrific reminder of the urgent need for the international community to act decisively. We need to act now through a new UN Security Council resolution in New York which carries consequences for the Syrian regime's continuing and increasingly violent non-compliance with its obligations. It is long past time to begin a democratic transition to a post-Asad Syria, to a future that reflects the legitimate aspirations of the brave and determined Syrian people.

The United States also remains concerned that the Syrian regime's use of violence against its own people is contributing to instability in Lebanon, and we stress again the responsibility of the Syrian regime to respect Lebanon's sovereignty. We encourage all parties to exercise restraint and support efforts to preserve Lebanon's security and stability, consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 559 and 701..

We look forward to continuing to work in a spirit of genuine partnership with the people and leaders of Lebanon. A stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon is deeply in the interest of the United States, the region, and the entire international community.

Thank you.

Deputy Secretary William J. Burns Visits Lebanon

Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns completed his visit to Lebanon today and met with senior officials to discuss the political and security situation in Lebanon, developments in Syria, and other regional issues.

Deputy Secretary Burns met with President of the Chamber of Deputies Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi.

Deputy Secretary Burns reiterated the United States' strong, continuing commitment to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon and welcomed efforts made by the Lebanese government and political leaders, as well as the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces, to work together to maintain calm in Lebanon.

He further welcomed Lebanon's payment of its 012 contributions to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon as an important demonstration of its respect for Lebanon's international commitments. The work of the Tribunal is a chance for Lebanon to move beyond its long history of impunity for political violence.

Deputy Secretary Burns acknowledged Lebanon's disassociation policy and reiterated U.S. interest in keeping Lebanon insulated from the violence in Syria. He welcomed the generosity of the Lebanese people and the efforts of the government to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced Syrians in Lebanon and encouraged the government to continue to work with the international community to assist those in need. He stressed the importance of protecting all displaced Syrians, including dissenters and deserters who have rejected violence, in keeping with Lebanon's international humanitarian obligations.

Monday, July 09, 2012

U.S. Ambassador Meets With President Sleiman

July 9, 2012 U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman at his offices in Baabda today.
The President and Ambassador discussed the political situation in Lebanon and regional events. The Ambassador also discussed recent security incidents in Lebanon. The Ambassador voiced U.S. Government concern over recent reports of cross-border shelling into northern Lebanon and expressed her condolences for the deaths of Lebanese civilians. She called on the Syrian government to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon. The Ambassador underscored that the U.S. remains concerned that developments in Syria not contribute to instability in Lebanon.
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.
 

Senator John McCain Visits Lebanon

July 6, 2012 - Senator John McCain, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, visited Lebanon on July 5 and 6 as part of a tour of the Middle East and Afghanistan.
The Senator met with a broad spectrum of individuals in Lebanon, and with them, discussed relevant local and regional issues. Senator McCain met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi and Lebanese Forces Party President Dr. Samir Geagea on Thursday, and held meetings with President Michel Sleiman, former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, and Progressive Socialist Party Leader MP Walid Jumblatt on Friday.
Senator McCain last visited Lebanon in February 2011.