Thursday, January 31, 2013

White House warns Damascus over weapons transfer from Syria to Hezbollah

Thu 31 Jan 2013 NNA - The White House warned Damascus on Thursday over any attempt to transfer weapons from Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon, shortly after news claimed an Israeli raid on the Syrian-Lebanese joint borders has targeted a convoy carrying arms coming from Syria.
"Syria must not exacerbate instability in the region by transferring weapons to Hezbollah," National Security advisor of US President, Barack Obama, told a news conference today.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Richmond, Virginia Police Study Tour for Lebanese Internal Security Forces

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 25, 2013
The U.S. Department of State is sponsoring seven members of Lebanon's Internal Security Forces (ISF) for a study tour of community policing practices in Richmond, Virginia, January 28 to February 1. The participants will learn the Richmond Police Department's successful community policing principles for carrying out law enforcement and public safety responsibilities - practices that participants will apply in their own communities in Lebanon.
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, through its partnerships with U.S. federal, state, and local police agencies, sponsors study tours and hands-on training opportunities for international partner countries from around the world. The Bureau has provided training in community policing to the Lebanese Internal Security Forces since 2010. This study tour aims to provide the ISF with a better understanding of U.S. community policing methods to aid in the formalization of a new Community Policing Pilot Police Station in Beirut.

Senior Pentagon Official Visits Lebano

January 25, 2013
Media Notice
For Immediate Release
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy Dr. Matthew Spence visited Lebanon today and met with President Michel Sleiman, Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly, United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon Commander Major General Paolo Serra, and other senior Lebanese military officials.    
In his meetings, Dr. Spence 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. 
Dr. Spence renewed the United States' commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.  He underscored the Department of Defense'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. 

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

U.S. Congressional Delegation Meets with Prime Minister Mikati

January 9, 2013
A delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform visited Lebanon today as part of a regional tour assessing security infrastructure at U.S. diplomatic missions and host nation support for security of these facilities abroad.
Led by Committee Chairman, Representative Darrell Issa of California's 49th district, the delegation of seven members and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and the region.
Chairman Issa thanked the Prime Minister for the security support provided to the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon and for the professionalism and dedication of the Lebanese security services.
Chairman Issa was accompanied by Representative John Mica, Representative Tim Walberg, Representative Paul Gosar, Representative Raul Labrador, Representative Scott DesJarlais, and Representative Blake Farenthold