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.