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.
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.
posted by DELTA BLOG at 7:58 AM
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