Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Ambassador Connelly Meets with Prime Minister Mikati

The Ambassador and the Prime Minister discussed political developments, including recent proposals by several Lebanese leaders on how to move forward with establishing a government that reflects the aspirations of the Lebanese people and, in the aftermath of the October 19 bombing that killed BG Wissam al-Hassan, will strengthen internal security and Lebanon's sovereignty and independence.   The Ambassador welcomed the Prime Minister's efforts to move forward with dialogue on government formation.   
The Ambassador raised the U.S. Government's concern over the growing humanitarian needs of the displaced Syrians that have fled to Lebanon to escape the continuing violence in their own country.  The Ambassador previewed the visit later this week of the State Department's Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration, Ms. Anne Richard, who will meet with the Prime Minister and others to discuss the U.S. and international community's assistance to the Syrians fleeing over the border to Lebanon.  
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon.
November 27, 2012
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati today.  They discussed the U.S.-Lebanese bilateral relationship, the political and security situation in Lebanon, and regional events, and the Prime Minister briefed Ambassador Connelly on his recent visit to France.
The Ambassador and the Prime Minister discussed political developments, including recent proposals by several Lebanese leaders on how to move forward with establishing a government that reflects the aspirations of the Lebanese people and, in the aftermath of the October 19 bombing that killed BG Wissam al-Hassan, will strengthen internal security and Lebanon's sovereignty and independence.  
The Ambassador welcomed the Prime Minister's efforts to move forward with dialogue on government formation.   
The Ambassador raised the U.S. Government's concern over the growing humanitarian needs of the displaced Syrians that have fled to Lebanon to escape the continuing violence in their own country. 
The Ambassador previewed the visit later this week of the State Department's Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration, Ms. Anne Richard, who will meet with the Prime Minister and others to discuss the U.S. and international community's assistance to the Syrians fleeing over the border to Lebanon.  
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Ambassador Maura Connelly Meets Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora

November 21, 2012
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met former Lebanese Prime MinisterFouad Siniora today. The two discussed ongoing developments in Lebanon and the broader situation in the Middle East. They discussed former Prime Minister Siniora's recent trip to the United States, including his meetings with U.S. officials.
The Ambassador reiterated U.S. support for the efforts led by President Michel Sleiman to discuss the way forward for a government that reflects the aspirations of the Lebanese people and strengthens Lebanon's stability, sovereignty, and independence. During this time, the Ambassador called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's stability and security.
The Ambassador reiterated the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Lebanon's Independence Day

Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
November 21, 2012
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Lebanon as you celebrate the anniversary of your independence this November 22.
The United States strongly values its ties with the people of Lebanon, who have faced and overcome adversity time and again and committed to building a society based on religious diversity, democratic values, and security. As Lebanon contends with regional and internal challenges, we reaffirm our commitment to Lebanon's independence, sovereignty, and stability.
We firmly believe that preserving a peaceful, prosperous, democratic, and stable Lebanon is essential for the security of the Lebanese people and for the region. I wish the people of Lebanon a happy independence day. We will continue to deepen cooperation between our countries and our institutions, as we help build a future defined by freedom, security, and prosperity.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Treasury Designates Hizballah Commander Responsible for American Deaths in Iraq

11/19/2012,
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated Ali Mussa Daqduq al-Musawi (Daqduq) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224 for acting on behalf of Hizballah. Daqduq is a senior Hizballah commander responsible for numerous attacks against Coalition Forces in Iraq, including planning an attack on the Karbala Joint Provincial Coordination Center (JPCC) on January 20, 2007, which resulted in the deaths of five U.S. soldiers.
On March 20, 2007, Coalition Forces in southern Iraq captured Daqduq, who falsely claimed to be a deaf mute at the time and produced a number of false identity cards using a variety of aliases. From January 2009 until December 2011, U.S. military forces held Daqduq in Iraq under the terms of the 2008 "Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq on the Withdrawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their Temporary Presence in Iraq" (the Security Agreement). In December 2011, the United States transferred Daqduq to Iraq's custody in accordance with our obligations under the Security Agreement. He was subsequently tried in Iraq on terrorism and other charges. On May 7, 2012, an Iraqi court dismissed terrorism and false documents charges against him. Daqduq remained in Iraqi custody until last week when the Iraqi government determined that it no longer had a legal basis to hold him, and he was released Friday.
"Ali Mussa Daqduq al-Musawi is a dangerous Hizballah operative responsible for planning and carrying out numerous acts of terrorism in Iraq," said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen. "The United States is extremely disappointed he was allowed to go free and we will continue our efforts to bring him to justice."
Today's action further highlights the fact that Hizballah's terrorist activities stretch beyond the borders of Lebanon. These terrorist acts are in some cases funded, coordinated, and carried out in concert with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF). Hizballah, along with its Iranian allies, trained and advised Iraqi militants to carry out numerous terrorist attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces.
Daqduq has been a member of Hizballah since 1983 and has served in multiple Hizballah leadership positions, including as commander of a Hizballah special forces unit and chief of a protective detail for Hizballah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
In approximately 2005, Iran asked Hizballah to form a group to train Iraqis to fight Coalition Forces in Iraq. In response, Hassan Nasrallah established a covert Hizballah unit to train and advise Iraqi militants in Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) and JAM Special Groups, now known as Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq.
As of 2006, Daqduq had been ordered by Hizballah to work with IRGC-QF to provide training and equipment to JAM Special Groups to augment their ability to inflict damage against U.S. troops.
Identifying Information
Individual: Ali Mussa Daqduq al-Musawi
AKA: Ali Musa Daqduq
AKA: Hamid Muhammad Jabur al-Lami
AKA: Hamid Muhammad al-Lami
AKA: Husayn Muhammad Jabur al-Musui
AKA: Hamid Muhammad Jabur al-Musui
AKA: Hamid Muhammad Daqduq al-Musawi
AKA: Hamid Muhammad Jabur al-Musawi
AKA: Hamid Majid 'Abd al-Yunis
Nationality: Lebanese
DOB No. 1: 1 September 1969
DOB No. 2: 31 December 1971
DOB No. 3: 9 August 1971
DOB No. 4: 9 September 1970
DOB No. 5: 9 August 1969
DOB No. 6: 5 March 1972
POB No. 1: Beirut, Lebanon
POB No. 2: Al-Karradah, Baghdad, Iraq

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Friday, November 16, 2012

Ambassador Connelly Meets with Prime Minister Mikati

November 16, 2012
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met today with Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Ambassador Connelly and the Prime Minister discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and the region. The Ambassador welcomed the efforts of responsible leaders, under President Michel Sleiman's leadership, to discuss the way forward for a government that reflects the aspirations of the Lebanese people and strengthens Lebanon's stability, sovereignty, and independence. During this time, the Ambassador called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's stability and security.
The Ambassador reiterated the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon.
 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Deputy Secretary Burns' Meeting with former Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
November 14, 2012
Deputy Secretary William Burns met former Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora at the Department of State yesterday afternoon. The two discussed ongoing developments in Lebanon and the broader situation in the Middle East. The Deputy Secretary emphasized the United States' commitment to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon.
Deputy Secretary Burns and former Prime Minister Siniora agreed on the importance of responsible Lebanese political leaders coming together to forge agreement on a process to form a new government that reflects the aspirations of the Lebanese people. They discussed the importance of holding accountable the perpetrators of the October 19 terrorist attack and other attacks to deter the use of assassination as a political tool and end the era of impunity in Lebanon.
The Deputy Secretary and former Prime Minister Siniora discussed the crisis in Syria. Deputy Secretary Burns reaffirmed our support for the Syrian Opposition Coalition as it charts a course toward the start of a peaceful, just, and democratic future for the Syrian people. Deputy Secretary Burns also reiterated our support for the creation of a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution and as the result of direct negotiations, without preconditions, between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Ambassador Connelly Meets with President Sleiman

November 13, 2012
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with President Michel Sleiman today.  They discussed the U.S.-Lebanese bilateral relationship as well as the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events. 
The Ambassador delivered a message from Secretary Clinton, expressing condolences for the victims of the October 19 bombing.  The Secretary reaffirmed U.S. support for President Sleiman's leadership as he consults with other responsible leaders on transitioning to a new government that reflects the aspirations of the Lebanese people and strengthens Lebanon's stability, sovereignty, and independence.  

Monday, November 12, 2012

Major General Beydler Visits Lebanon

November 9, 2012
 U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Major General William D. Beydler visited Lebanon today and met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi to discuss bilateral military cooperation. General Beydler expressed his deepest sympathies and condolences to the Lebanese people and the families of those killed and injured on October 19. 
In his meeting, General Beydler emphasized the strong and sustained military cooperation between the two countries. General Beydler also underscored USCENTCOM's support for Lebanon's initiatives to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
 He renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

Thursday, November 01, 2012

Acting Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Jones Completes Visit to Lebanon

November 1, 2012
Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Elizabeth Jones completed her visit to Lebanon today and met with senior officials to discuss the political, economic, and security situation in Lebanon and other regional issues. 
Acting Assistant Secretary Jones and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Progressive Socialist Party Leader MP Walid Jumblatt, Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi, Acting Internal Security Forces Director General Brigadier General Robert Jabbour, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly, UN Resident Coordinator Robert Watkins, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Resident Representative Ninette Kelley. 
In her meetings, she reiterated that the Lebanese people deserve a government that reflects their aspirations and will strengthen Lebanon's stability, sovereignty and independence.  She further expressed support for President Sleiman's and other responsible leaders' efforts to consult on transitioning to a new government. 
Acting Assistant Secretary Jones further praised the importance of the work of the United Nations to provide assistance to Syrian, Iraqi, and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and the region.  She noted that the United States has provided over $132 million in humanitarian assistance to help people inside Syria and those displaced through the region. 

Acting Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Jones Visits Lebanon

October 31, 2012

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Elizabeth Jones visited Lebanon today and met with senior officials to discuss the political, economic, and security situation in Lebanon and other regional issues.

Acting Assistant Secretary Jones and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with President Michel Sleiman, President of the Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, former President and Kataeb Party leader Amine Gemayel, and Lebanese Forces Party President Dr. Samir Geagea. Later today both will meet with former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and other March 14 leaders.
Acting Assistant Secretary Jones expressed the United States' deepest sympathies and condolences to the Lebanese people and the families of those killed and injured on October 19.
She reiterated that the Lebanese people deserve a government that reflects their aspirations and will strengthen Lebanon's stability, sovereignty and independence. She further expressed support for President Sleiman's and other responsible leaders' efforts to consult on 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.
She renewed the United States' commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.