Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Ambassador Maura Connelly Meets with Achrafieh MPs

October 30, 2012
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with a group of Achrafieh leaders lead by MPs Michel Pharaon, Serge Torsarkissian, and Jean Oghassapian today. The Ambassador and local leaders discussed the damage to communities caused by the October 19 bombing. They also discussed political and security developments following the bombing and the assassination of Internal Security Forces Information Branch Chief Major General Wissam al-Hassan.
The Ambassador expressed the United States' deepest sympathies and condolences to the community and the families of those killed and injured on October 19. She underscored the United States' commitment to provide technical assistance to the Lebanese investigation to help bring those responsible to justice.
She renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly’s Meetings with Lebanese Political Leaders

October 29, 2012
Over the past week, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly has met with numerous Lebanese political leaders to discuss political and security developments following the October 19 bombing in Achrafieh and the assassination of Internal Security Forces Information Branch Chief Major General Wissam al-Hassan.
In her meetings, the Ambassador reiterated that the Lebanese people deserve a government that reflects their aspirations. They also deserve a government that will stand up for Lebanon's stability, sovereignty and independence.
She further expressed support for President Sleiman's and other responsible leaders' efforts to agreement on a process for transitioning to a new governing coalition. She emphasized that this is a Lebanese process and encouraged a peaceful transition be formulated without creating a political vacuum and that Lebanese leaders should work to build agreement among relevant parties in this regard.
The article published in Al-Akhbar today under the title "Connelly to Jumblatt and Geagea: Boycott Hariri's Recklessness" attributed quotes to Ambassador Connelly that were without basis and wholly untrue. Nor did the paper ever seek to confirm these fabricated quotes before their publication.
The United States remains committed to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon and stands by the Lebanese people as they continue to confront the aftermath of this heinous attack.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

U.S. Ambassador Attends ISF Graduation

October 25, 2012
 U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly joined Internal Security Forces (ISF) Brigadier General Ibrahim Basbous in congratulating graduates of the community policing training program. The 131 graduates completed a joint U.S.-ISF 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.
In her remarks, Ambassador Connelly stated "I know this is a difficult time for the ISF and for Lebanon as a whole. On behalf of the American people and myself, I would like to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to all the victims' families and colleagues. We condemn in the strongest terms the assassination of Major General Wissam al-Hassan and First Aspirant Ahmad Sahyouni."
 General Hassan was a true Lebanese patriot, committed to the ISF motto of "security for the nation and the citizen." He was instrumental in helping to protect and insulate Lebanon from those who would seek to undermine its security and stability and export the violence in Syria to its doors. The Ambassador shared her confidence that the graduates will honor General Hassan's memory through their own dedication and commitment to the mission of the ISF.
 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 8,500 ISF members.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

U.S. Ambassador Meets with President Sleiman

October 24, 2012U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman today. The President and Ambassador discussed the U.S.-Lebanese bilateral relationship as well as the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.
The Ambassador reiterated the support of the United States for President Sleiman and other leaders as they seek to build an effective government and take the necessary next steps in the wake of the October 19 assassination of Major General Wissam al-Hassan.
She assured President Sleiman that the United States views this as an internal Lebanese matter and will not prejudge the outcomes of these efforts. She noted the concerns shared by the U.S. and international community regarding the potential for instability and the creation of any political vacuum. She relayed Washington's hope that all parties will exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's security and stability.
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Syria’s New Attack on Lebanon

by Elliott Abrams
October 20, 2012
Fears are expressed almost every day that the war in Syria will spread to Lebanon, or to all of Syria's neighbors. The problem, however, is not that the war "will spread" as if by nature, inevitably, the way spilled water spreads, but that it will be spread– deliberately, by the Assad regime.
And that is indeed what is happening. The assassination in Beirut of Wissam Hassan, by a huge car bomb, is only the latest in a long series of such murders of critics of the Assad regime. Hassan was a senior intelligence official, a Sunni, and the man who led the investigation of the murder in 2005 of former prime minister Rafik Hariri. That investigation led to the uncovering of evidence implicating both the Assad regime in Syria, and Hezbollah.
How are we to understand what is happening in Lebanon? A Lebanese friend wrote me as follows today:
"Lebanon is witnessing a return to the 2005-2008 period when Assad and Nasrallah, feeling that they were losing ground, orchestrated their series of political assassinations, bombings, armed clashes….until they finally got what they wanted through the Doha accord. Then miraculously all violence stopped. Now that they are losing again, they are resorting to the same tactics: assassinations attempts against March 14, Michel Samaha's bombing plot, Tripoli's fighting, weapons distribution by the Hezbollah to various militias and yesterday Wissam Hassan's assassination.
"Wissam will be the third IB(Information Branch) chief targeted after Samir Shahade and Wissam Eid. This is a terrible blow to the intelligence-security efforts in Lebanon against Bashar and his gang. The Information Branch is the only Lebanese security agency truly confronting the threats coming from Assad and Hezbollah. They deserve our unconditional support if we care to win our battle against the Iranian and Syrian regimes in Lebanon."
Murder in Beirut is nothing new for the Assad regime; it is how Sunni and Christian opponents are dealt with. This car bomb killing in Beirut is only the latest piece of evidence as to why Assad's survival threatens regional stability. Well over a year ago the President of the United States said Assad must go. It is time the United States adopted an active policy that would bring that day closer- saving thousands more lives in Syria and the lives of American allies in Lebanon as well.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Acts of Terrorism in Beirut

Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
October 19, 2012
The United States condemns in the strongest terms the acts of terrorism that took place in Beirut's Achrafieh neighborhood today. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who were killed.
The assassination of the Brigadier General Wissam al-Hassan, who was a strong defender of Lebanon's security and its people, is a dangerous sign that there are those who continue to seek to undermine Lebanon's stability. Lebanon must close the chapter of its past and bring an end to impunity for political assassinations and other politically motivated violence. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's stability and security.
The United States remains committed to an independent, sovereign, and stable Lebanon. We will continue to work with our partners to preserve Lebanon's security and stability

Statement by NSC Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Attack in Beirut

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
October 9,10,2012 
The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack today in Beirut that killed Lebanese Internal Security Forces Information Bureau Director Wissam al-Hassan and at least seven others, and wounded dozens more. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those killed and injured in this heinous attack and with the Lebanese people, who have sacrificed greatly to overcome war and violence. Lebanon's security and stability are vital both for the Lebanese people and their neighbors. There is no justification for using assassination as a political tool. The United States will stand by the Government of Lebanon and the people of Lebanon as they work to bring those responsible for this barbaric attack to justice and build a future where all Lebanese can live in security and dignity.
 

Monday, October 15, 2012

Remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at the Security Council Open Debate on the Middle East, October 15, 2012

Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
U.S. Mission to the United Nations

New York, NY

October 15, 2012
Excerpts:
No one can deny that Asad's war against the Syrian people now poses real challenges to all of Syria's neighbors, including Lebanon. From deadly Syrian regime attacks across the border to tens of thousands of refugees, Lebanon is already suffering the consequences of this conflict. Hizballah's active and growing support for Asad's war exposes Hassan Nasrallah's claims of promoting Lebanon's national interest as nothing more than a deadly form of deception. The group's leaders may try to change the subject by invoking hollow rhetoric about so-called resistance, but the truth is plain to see: Nasrallah's fighters are now part of Asad's killing machine and Hizballah leaders continue to plot with Iran new measures to prop up a murderous and desperate dictator.
We encourage the international community to counter Hizballah's terrorist activity and do more to expose Hizballah's deepening involvement in Asad's war. We commend the Lebanese government – and the Lebanese Armed Forces in particular – for maintaining stability and law and order at this critical juncture. We welcome the efforts of President Sleiman and others to promote dialogue, including with respect to the disarmament of illegal militias, as called for in UN Security Council Resolution 1559, and we reiterate our firm commitment to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon.

 

Friday, October 05, 2012

Statement Issued by Ambassador Maura Connelly at Maraab

October 5 2012
Good afternoon. I had a good meeting with Dr. Samir Geagea today.  We discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.  

Today we discussed our deep concern over the destabilizing actions of Syria in Lebanon.  As the UN Security Council said in its statement yesterday, the Syrian regime must fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors.  The United States remains gravely concerned about Syria's continued shelling of and incursions into Lebanon's border region.  The responsibility for the violence in Syria and the violence that threatens to spill over from Syria falls squarely on the Asad regime.  The United States calls on all parties to work together to insulate Lebanon from the effects of the violence in Syria resulting from the Asad regime's brutal crackdown on the Syrian people.

As we consider the destabilizing effects that the violence in Syria has had on Lebanon, we also recall that it was six months ago that there was an attempt to assassinate Dr. Geagea.  We condemn in the strongest terms any attempt to use assassination as a political tool.  Lebanon must close the chapter of its past and bring an end to impunity for political assassinations and other politically motivated violence.
 
Dr. Geagea and I also discussed the political environment in Lebanon and plans for the 2013 parliamentary elections.  The United States welcomes Lebanese efforts to implement an electoral law that would pave the way for free, fair and transparent elections.  We also encourage Lebanon to uphold its democratic and constitutional principles and hold elections on time.   

The United States remains committed to an independent, sovereign, and stable Lebanon.  We will continue to work with our partners to preserve Lebanon's security and stability.

Thank you.

Thursday, October 04, 2012

U.S. Ambassador Meets with the Prime Minister

October 4 2012 - U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met today with Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Ambassador Connelly consulted with the Prime Minister on his recent trip to New York and the two discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.
The Ambassador reiterated the United States' expectation that the Syrian regime respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon. She expressed the United States' grave concern with Syria's continued shelling of and incursions into Lebanon's border region. The Ambassador stressed that the responsibility for the violence in Syria and the violence that threatens to spill over from Syria falls squarely on the Asad regime.
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

U.S. Ambassador Meets with Minister of Social Affairs

October 4 2012
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abou Faour today to discuss the political and security situation in Lebanon and developments in Syria.
The Ambassador praised the generosity of the Lebanese people and the efforts of the government, in conjunction with international partners and organizations, to provide humanitarian assistance to the growing number of Syrian refugees and affected Lebanese communities. The Ambassador pointed to the recent announcement of an additional $0 million in U.S. assistance to Syrian refugees in neighboring countries and those affected within Syria, bringing the total U.S. support for humanitarian aid to $32 million. She also reaffirmed the United States' continued commitment to providing assistance to Syrian refugees and the Lebanese communities that are hosting them.
She further stressed the importance of protecting all refugees in Lebanon, including dissenters and deserters who have rejected violence, in keeping with Lebanon's international humanitarian obligations.
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Senior State Department Official's Meeting with Hezbollah Ally Indefensible, Ros-Lehtinen Says

Monday, October 1, 2012
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the following statement today after Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman met with Lebanese Energy Minister Gebran Bassil, an open supporter of the Assad regime and the violent extremist group Hezbollah, at the State Department in Washington, D.C. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
"The fact that one the State Department's highest ranking officials met with Bassil--one of Hezbollah's most stalwart allies--is beyond indefensible. A supporter of Assad and Hezbollah has no place meeting with U.S. officials.

"The Administration chooses to meet with the likes of Bassil while giving the cold shoulder to our closest ally, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  The Administration must explain its actions to the American people; we demand answers and deserve no less. "