Monday, December 31, 2012

U.S. Ambassador Meets with Speaker Berri

December 31, 2012
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with President of the Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih Berri today.  They discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events, particularly in Syria. 
The Ambassador encouraged Lebanon to uphold its democratic and constitutional principles and hold elections on time.  She reiterated that the United States welcomes Lebanese efforts to implement an electoral law that would pave the way for free, fair and transparent elections. 
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

Friday, December 21, 2012

AFCENT Commander Completes Visit to Lebanon

December 21, 2012
U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) Commander Lieutenant General David L. Goldfein completed his visit to Lebanon today and, along with U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly, participated in a handover ceremony for six Huey II helicopters received by the Lebanese Armed Forces.
The six helicopters and spare parts for the new Huey IIs and the Lebanese Armed Forces' existing Huey I fleet are part of a $58 million military assistance package, the largest single assistance package in the history of U.S.-Lebanese bilateral military relations. It is also the first delivery of rotary wing aircraft to Lebanon in 15 years.
The delivery of Huey II helicopters reflects the strong and sustained military cooperation between the two countries as well as U.S. support for Lebanon's initiatives to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. It further underscores the United States' efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces, recognizing its importance, as Lebanon's sole legitimate defense force, in securing Lebanon's borders and defending the sovereignty and independence of the state.
Read Fact Sheet on U.S. Assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces. (PDF 92 Kb).

Media Fact Sheet: U.S. Assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces

Fact Sheet:
EMBASSYY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEIRUT LEBANON
December 21, 2012
Media Fact Sheet
For Immediate Release
U.S. Assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces
In the past six months, the United States has provided approximately $140.37 million in equipment and assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) that includes aircraft, a vessel, vehicles, guns, ammunition, equipment, and medical supplies. This assistance is coordinated by the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) at the U.S. Embassy and is part of U.S. efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), recognizing its importance, as Lebanon's sole legitimate defense force, in securing Lebanon's borders and defending the sovereignty and independence of the state.
The $58 million military assistance package to provide six new Huey II helicopters and spare parts for both the Huey II and existing LAF Huey I fleet is the largest single military assistant package in U.S.-Lebanese bilateral military relations. The helicopters dramatically increase the LAF's air support capabilities in order to provide air cover for troops on the ground, provide search and rescue capabilities, and better secure Lebanon's borders. The U.S. has also provided a flight simulator device and built a special-purpose building for the device at Rayak Air Base to improve pilot training. The LAF further received five aircraft refueling semitrailers.
This month, the LAF also received a $29.8 million, 42 meter coastal security craft manufactured in the United States. The craft will enable the Lebanese Navy to conduct extended-period off-shore patrols and increases its ability to protect Lebanon's maritime border.
To assist the LAF's operational capability to help maintain calm and stability in Lebanon, the U.S. has provided over 1,000 M16A4 rifles, 24 .50 caliber machine guns, 80 M203A2 grenade launchers, 38 million rounds of ammunition, 960 field telephones, 30 equipment kits to support operating M198 howitzers, survey sets to support field artillery, and two interactive training devices to improve artillery fire accuracy.
In support of the LAF's operational mobility and ability to quickly respond to crises, the U.S. delivered 48 armored and unarmored HMMWVs, 31 armored and unarmored HMMWV cargo troop carriers, and 10 heavy duty tow trucks.
 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

AFCENT Commander Lieutenant General Goldfein Visits Lebanon

December 20, 2012
U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) Commander Lieutenant General David L. Goldfein visited Lebanon today and met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi and other senior military officials.
In his meetings, Lieutenant General Goldfein discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and other regional issues. He further emphasized the strong and sustained military cooperation between the two countries as well as U.S. support for Lebanon's initiatives to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Lieutenant General Goldfein renewed the United States' commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon. He underscored CENTCOM's continuing joint effort to strengthen the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces, recognizing its importance, as Lebanon's sole legitimate defense force, in securing Lebanon's borders and defending the sovereignty and independence of the state.

U.S. Ambassador Meets with Prime Minister Mikati

December 20, 2012
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati today. The Prime Minister and Ambassador discussed the U.S.-Lebanese bilateral relationship as well as the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.
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 and Palestinian refugees and affected Lebanese communities. She welcomed the efforts of the government to better identify and assess current and potential needs to support refugees in Lebanon in coordination with the international community.
The Ambassador recognized the urgent need for international assistance for the humanitarian crisis created by increased refugee flows and reiterated the U.S. commitment to respond positively in addressing the needs of Syrian refugees and the communities that host them.
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Designations of Michel Samaha

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 17, 2012

 The Department of State designated Michel Samaha as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224. Samaha, a former Lebanese Minister of Information and Tourism, was arrested by Lebanese authorities in August 2012 for plotting to carry out terrorist attacks in Lebanon.
The Department of Treasury concurrently designated Michel Samaha as a Specially Designated National pursuant to Executive Order 13441 on the grounds that Samaha's actions had the purpose or effect of undermining Lebanon's democratic processes or institutions, contributing to the breakdown of the rule of law in Lebanon, supporting the reassertion of Syrian control or otherwise contributing to Syrian interference in Lebanon, or infringing upon or undermining Lebanese sovereignty.
Samaha has remained in Lebanese custody and has been charged with plotting to assassinate political and religious figures in Lebanon through targeted bombings. The goal of these attacks appears to have been an attempt to incite sectarian clashes in Lebanon on behalf of the Syrian regime. Samaha was also accused of transporting explosives for the planned attacks into Lebanon.
According to available information, in July 2012 former Syrian General Intelligence Directorate chief and current head of the Syrian National Security Bureau Ali Mamluk was involved in a plot with Samaha to conduct bombing attacks against Lebanese political and religious figures in northern Lebanon, and Mamluk provided money and explosives to Samaha for that purpose.
In August 2012, Samaha provided the explosives and cash to his paid accomplice at Samaha's residence in Lebanon. On August 9, 2012, the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) arrested Samaha and brought him to ISF headquarters where, after being confronted with the evidence against him, Samaha admitted to complicity in the plot.
The designations under E.O. 13224 and under E.O. 13441 block all of Samaha's property interests subject to U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with or for the benefit of Samaha.

Friday, December 07, 2012

Rear Admiral Scott Visits Lebanon

December 7, 2012
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Kevin D. Scott visited Lebanon today and met with Acting Lebanese Naval Commander Colonel Joseph Ghadban to discuss bilateral military cooperation.
During his visit, Rear Admiral Scott emphasized the strong and sustained naval cooperation between the two countries. He also underscored NAVCENT's support for Lebanon's initiatives to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Rear Admiral Scott also participated in the commissioning ceremony for the "Trablous," a $29.8 million, 42 meter coastal security craft manufactured in the United States. The craft will enable the Lebanese Navy to conduct extended-period off-shore patrols and increases its ability to protect Lebanon's maritime border.
Rear Admiral Scott renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.