Wednesday, February 27, 2013

U.S. Ambassador Meets with Prime Minister Mikati

February 26, 2013
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati today. The Prime Minister and Ambassador discussed bilateral relations as well as the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.
Noting the importance that all Lebanese parties abide by Lebanon's policy of disassociation, the Ambassador also expressed the condolences of the United States for Lebanese citizens killed and injured by the Syrian regime's shelling of and firing upon border villages. She reiterated the United States' call for the Asad regime to respect the sovereignty, independence, and stability of Lebanon.
The United States appreciates Prime Minister Mikati's determination to uphold Lebanon's democratic and constitutional principles and hold elections on time.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

111 US congressmen back Bulgaria govt actions in terror attack investigation

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
House of Representative
Washington DC 20515
Feb 18 2013
 
Tsvetan Gentchev Tsvetanov
Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Interior
Bulgaria
 
"Dear Minister Tsvetanov:
We are writing to express our support for your recent report on the 2012 Burgas bombing. Your comprehensive investigation builds a sound foundation for further action against Hizbollah, and we look forward to supporting you in your next steps.
The Bulgarian report demonstrates irrefutable evidence that Hizbollah was responsible for the Burgas bombing. There is now clear imperative for action. Hizbollah's actions in Europe must be met with a response to prevent further attacks in Europe and around the world.
The investigation of the Burgas bombing, coupled with the deep body of evidence and intelligence that supported the decisions by the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands to classify in its entirety Hizbollah as a terrorist organization, and action by the United Kingdom and Australia to place the "Hizbollah External Security Organization" on their terrorist lists, demonstrates an unmistakable path forward for the European Union to isolate Hizbollah over its support for terror and incitement.
Placing Hizbollah on the terrorist list would be the next logical step, in light of the terrorist attack on European soil. Blocking Hizbollah from fundraising would make it more difficult for Hizbollah to plan, finance and execute terrorist activities in Europe and around the world. We fear that failure to add Hizbollah to the terror list will allow, perhaps even encourage, the terror organization to exploit the lack of unity in the European Union Member States, and attempts to launch additional attacks on civilians.
Furthermore, if Hizbollah's ability to maintain fundraising networks in Europe remains intact, this threatens to undermine the European Union's significant efforts towards Middle East peace.
We hope you will act to build the consensus among European Union members that is urgently needed to weaken Hizbollah's terrorist infrastructure. We look forward to working with you and your counterparts to increase engagement between the United States and the European Union to prevent future Hizbollah terrorist operations."

Friday, February 15, 2013

U.S. Ambassador Meets with LAF Commander General Kahwagi

Feberuary 15, 2013

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Jean Kahwagi today. Ambassador Connelly and the General discussed the security situation in Lebanon and U.S. support for the LAF.


Ambassador Connelly underscored the United States' support in strengthening the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces, recognizing its importance, in serving as Lebanon's sole legitimate defense force, to secure Lebanon's borders and defend the sovereignty and independence of the state.

She expressed the United States' appreciation for the efforts of the LAF and the Internal Security Forces to work together to maintain calm in Lebanon. She emphasized U.S. concern for the current security situation in Lebanon and called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's security and stability. The Ambassador underscored that the U.S. remains concerned that developments in Syria not contribute to instability in Lebanon.

She renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Anniversary of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's Assassination

Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 14, 2013
Eight years ago today, former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was murdered together with 22 other victims by a car bomb in Beirut. Those who initiated the killing sought to undermine Lebanon's sovereignty and independence. This act of cold blooded mass murder sent shivers throughout the region. I will never forget sitting in Beirut soon after for my meetings held next to a portrait of Hariri shrouded in black. The grief was palpable across a city and nation in mourning and upheaval. ‪
Eight years later, the United States reaffirms that we reject the use of assassination as a political tool by parties within or outside Lebanon, and we stand with the Lebanese people as they seek to make clear once and for all that political assassination and politically motivated violence will no longer be carried out with impunity. We support the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to independently investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the assassination of Hariri and the others killed and injured on that tragic day.‪
Since the Hariri assassination, too many more of Lebanon's citizens have fallen in targeted killings, including Wissam al-Hasan just four months ago, and still others have been targeted in assassination attempts, including Lebanese Forces Party Leader Dr. Samir Geagea and independent MP Boutros Harb. The killing must end and those responsible must be held accountable.‪
The United States continues its unwavering support for a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon. We encourage all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's security and stability, consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701. ‪

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

U.S. Ambassador Meets with Prime Minister Mikati

February 12, 2013
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati today. The Prime Minister and Ambassador discussed bilateral relations as well as the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.
In her meeting, the Ambassador praised Prime Minister Mikati's determination to uphold Lebanon's democratic and constitutional principles and hold elections on time.
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon.

Friday, February 08, 2013

Chairman Royce Statement on Bulgaria Finding of Hezbollah Responsibility for July 2012 Bus Attack

Feb 5, 2013
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement upon the Bulgarian Government's finding that two members of Hezbollah were responsible for the July 2012 attack on a bus in Burgas, Bulgaria that killed six people, including five Israeli tourists:
"Today's finding by the Bulgarian Government is yet another reminder that Hezbollah is clearly a terrorist organization with global reach. This attack on European soil makes the European Union's resistance to designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization even more incomprehensible.
"Recent Hezbollah plots have been uncovered in Thailand, India, Cyprus, Georgia, Kenya, and elsewhere. Now that Hezbollah has been found responsible for an attack on a European Union member nation, the E.U. must designate it as a terrorist organization. Failure to do so will only give these killers the opportunity to further organize, recruit, raise funds, and carry out additional terrorist attacks across the continent.
"The E.U.'s indefensible policy on Hezbollah makes defending all of us from Iranian-backed terrorism even more difficult."
 ###

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Statement by Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan on Bulgaria’s Announcement of Hizballah’s Role in the 2012 Burgas Terrorist Attack

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 5, 2013

Statement by Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan on Bulgaria's Announcement of Hizballah's Role in the 2012 Burgas Terrorist Attack

The United States commends the Government of Bulgaria for its professional and comprehensive investigation into the barbaric July 18, 2012 terrorist attack in Burgas. Today, following a thorough review of the evidence collected to date, Bulgarian authorities announced their judgment that Lebanese Hizballah was responsible for carrying out this act of terrorism, which killed six innocent civilians and injured many others.

Bulgaria's investigation exposes Hizballah for what it is – a terrorist group that is willing to recklessly attack innocent men, women, and children, and that poses a real and growing threat not only to Europe, but to the rest of the world. We commend Bulgarian authorities for their determination and commitment to ensuring that Hizballah is held to account for this act of terror on European soil. The United States will continue to provide the Bulgarian Government assistance in bringing the perpetrators of this heinous attack to justice.

Hizballah's dangerous and destabilizing activities – from attacking tourists in foreign countries to leader Hassan Nasrallah's active support of Bashar al-Assad's violent campaign against the Syrian people – threaten the safety and security of nations and citizens around the world. Bulgaria's implication of Hizballah underscores the importance of international cooperation in disrupting terrorist threats. We call on our European partners as well as other members of the international community to take proactive action to uncover Hizballah's infrastructure and disrupt the group's financing schemes and operational networks in order to prevent future attacks.


The United States is proud to stand with its friend and NATO ally Bulgaria. We deeply value our strong partnership on a wide range of issues including advancing global and regional security in Afghanistan and the Balkans, expanding economic and commercial ties, and promoting cultural and education programs.

US calls on Europe to act against Hezbollah

05 February 2013 | 18:33 / FOCUS News Agency / World
Washington. The White House on Tuesday called on Europe to take action against a "growing" threat from Hezbollah after Bulgaria blamed the militia group for an attack which killed five Israeli tourists in July, AFP reported.
President Barack Obama's top counter-terrorism advisor John Brennan, his nominee to lead the CIA, called on European states to take "proactive action" to uncover Hezbollah's infrastructure, financing and operational networks.
Brennan said the attack exposed Hezbollah as "a terrorist group that is willing to recklessly attack innocent men, women, and children, and that poses a real and growing threat not only to Europe, but to the rest of the world."
"Hezbollah's dangerous and destabilizing activities -- from attacking tourists in foreign countries to leader Hassan Nasrallah's active support of Bashar al-Assad's violent campaign against the Syrian people -- threaten the safety and security of nations and citizens around the world," Brennan said.
Brennan praised Bulgaria for what he said was its professional and comprehensive investigation into the attack, and said Washington would stand with the government in Sofia as it fights terrorism.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said the European Union should draw the "necessary conclusions" about Hezbollah following the investigation, hinting the group should be placed on a terror watch list.
On Tuesday, Bulgaria had said it had information that two people, carrying Canadian and Australian passports, and who had lived in Lebanon, were involved in the strike.
The bombing on a bus carrying Israelis at Burgas Airport on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast was the deadliest attack on Israelis abroad since 2004, and also killed a Bulgarian bus driver and the bomber

Bulgarian Announcement on Hizballah's Role in Burgas Attack

Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 5, 2013

The United States commends our close friend and NATO ally Bulgaria for its thorough and professional investigation into the July 18, 2012, Burgas terrorist attack.
The finding is clear and unequivocal: Lebanese Hizballah was responsible for this deadly assault on European soil. We condemn Hizballah in the strongest terms for an attack which bears striking similarities to other disrupted plots of the last year. The United States is acting decisively and comprehensively to curtail Hizballah's destabilizing actions in Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and the Middle East, and we are prepared to do all within our power to assist the Government of Bulgaria in bringing those responsible for the Burgas attack to justice.

We strongly urge other governments around the world – and particularly our partners in Europe – to take immediate action to crack down on Hizballah. We need to send an unequivocal message to this terrorist group that it can no longer engage in despicable actions with impunity.

U.S. Ambassador Expresses Condolences to General Kahwagi

February 4, 2013
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly called Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Jean Kahwagi today and expressed the United States' deepest condolences for LAF personnel killed and injured in Arsal. Those LAF personnel lost and injured were engaged in the fight against violent extremists and the Ambassador underscored the shared commitment of the U.S. and Lebanese Governments in that struggle.
In the phone call, the Ambassador underscored the United States' appreciation for the efforts of the Lebanese government as well as the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces to counter violent extremists who threaten the safety of all those in Lebanon.

The United States remains committed, along with the LAF, to the joint effort to strengthen the capacity of the 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.