Tuesday, August 28, 2012

U.S. Ambassador Meets with the Prime Minister

27 Aug 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 welcomed the release of kidnapped Lebanese Hussein Ali Omar over the weekend. She condemned the kidnapping of any individuals based on nationality, sect, ethnicity or for criminal gain and called for their immediate release.
The Ambassador expressed the United States' concern with the recent violence in Tripoli and offered the United States' sincere condolences for those killed and injured. 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 reiterated the United States' call that the Asad regime respect the sovereignty, independence, and stability of Lebanon. She called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's stability and security.
The Ambassador shared U.S. concerns over Iran's Presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and intentions for the NAM conference this week. Iran's continuing uncritical support for the Asad regime prevents it from effectively facilitating a political solution to the crisis in Syria, and she relayed the U.S. Government's confidence that NAM members will not be led by Iran into taking actions that appear to condone Iran's support for the Asad regime and its disregard of its obligations regarding the prevention of nuclear proliferation.