Thursday, March 28, 2013

U.S. Ambassador’s Meetings with Speaker Nabih Berri and Caretaker Prime Minister Mikati

March 28, 2013
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met separately with President of the Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih Berri and Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati today. In both meetings, the Ambassador discussed bilateral relations as well as the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.
Ambassador Connelly expressed the United States' support for efforts to form a new government. This process is, and must be, a Lebanese process. She reiterated the United States' position that the Lebanese people deserve a government that reflects their aspirations and will strengthen Lebanon's stability, sovereignty, and independence.
Ambassador Connelly further underscored that Lebanon's democratic process is an immensely valuable achievement that serves as an example to the region, especially during this period of democratic change in the Middle East. She conveyed the United States' appreciation for the extraordinary efforts exerted by President Sleiman, Speaker Berri, and Caretaker Prime Minister Mikati to adhere to Lebanon's legal and constitutional framework to hold parliamentary elections on time.
The Ambassador renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon.
 

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Cypriot Court Convicts Hezbollah Operative

Press Statement
Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
March 21, 2013

The United States applauds the government of Cyprus for its professional investigation and successful conviction in court today of Hezbollah operative Hossam Taleb Yaacoub on a range of charges involving his surveillance activities of Israeli tourist targets. Over the past year, we have seen Hezbollah engage in increasingly aggressive terrorist activity around the world. In July 2012, just two weeks after Yaacoub's arrest, we witnessed the deadly impact of Hezbollah's commitment to terrorism in Burgas, Bulgaria. Today's verdict underscores the need for our European allies – and other governments around the world – to crack down on this deadly group and to send a strong message that Hezbollah can no longer operate with impunity, at home or abroad.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Lawrence Silverman Completes Visit to Lebanon

March 13, 2013
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Lawrence Silverman completed his visit to Lebanon today and met with senior officials to discuss the political, economic and security situation in Lebanon and other regional issues.
Mr. Silverman had meetings with former Prime Minister MP Fouad Siniora, former Minister and First Lady MP Nayla Mouawad, MP Boutrous Harb, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Country Representative Ninette Kelley, Lebanese Forces Party President Dr. Samir Geagea, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) officials, and other March 14 officials.
In his meetings, Mr. Silverman welcomed the efforts of Lebanese leaders to reach consensus and uphold Lebanon's democratic and constitutional principles, and stressed the need to hold parliamentary elections on time. He called for all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's stability and security and praised the efforts of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces in working with political leaders to maintain peace and stability.
Mr. Silverman commended the Government of Lebanon and the generosity of the Lebanese people for hosting and supporting a growing number of Syrian refugees who have fled the brutal violence of the Asad regime. They further underscored the United States' commitment to assist refugees from Syria and the Lebanese communities that host them. To date the United States has provided $385 million in humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees in Syria and neighboring countries, of which $51 million has been provided for refugees in Lebanon, and $115 million in non-lethal support to the Syrian opposition. He noted that the United States has urged all nations who pledged support at the Kuwait conference to disburse their pledged funds to the United Nations, noting that the United States' pledge of $155 million has already been disbursed.
Mr. Silverman further recognized the upcoming anniversary of the Cedar Revolution on March 14 in response to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others on February 14, 2005. He noted how a string of political assassinations and assassination attempts have followed since, including most recently the October 19, 2012 assassination of Internal Security Forces Major General Wissam al-Hassan. He reconfirmed the United States' condemnation in the strongest terms of the use of assassination as a political tool, reiterating that Lebanon must close the chapter of its past and bring an end to impunity for political assassinations and other politically motivated violence.
He renewed the United States' commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

Anniversary of Lebanon's Cedar Revolution

Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
March 14, 2013
Today marks the eighth anniversary of Lebanon's Cedar Revolution, when the Lebanese people took to the streets to peacefully demonstrate and demand a sovereign and democratic country free from foreign interference and to call for the truth behind the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others.
The Lebanese people continue to face challenges as they work to ensure a stable, sovereign, and independent state that unifies all Lebanese. As Lebanon prepares for its parliamentary elections, we call on all parties to reject the use of violence and to resolve their differences peacefully and at the ballot box, consistent with the Lebanese constitution. Lebanon's democratic process is a valuable achievement, and we urge Lebanon and its leaders to uphold their commitment to this process and hold elections on time.
The United States steadfastly supports the people of Lebanon and their advance toward a sovereign, stable, independent, and prosperous Lebanon.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Lawrence Silverman Visits Lebanon

March 12, 2013 Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Lawrence Silverman continued his visit to Lebanon today and met with senior officials to discuss the political, economic and security situation in Lebanon and other regional issues. 
Mr. Silverman had meetings with former President and Kataeb Party leader Amine Gemayel, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt, Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi, Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, Deputy United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Robert Watkins, and March 14 political leaders. 
In his meetings, Mr. Silverman welcomed the efforts of Lebanese leaders to reach consensus and uphold Lebanon's democratic and constitutional principles, and stressed the need to hold parliamentary elections on time.  He called for all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's stability and security and praised the efforts of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces in working with political leaders to maintain peace and stability.
Mr. Silverman further recognized the upcoming anniversary of the Cedar Revolution on March 14 in response to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others on February 14, 2005.  He noted how a string of political assassinations and assassination attempts have followed since, including most recently the October 19, 2012 assassination of Internal Security Forces Major General Wissam al-Hassan.  He reconfirmed the United States' condemnation in the strongest terms of the use of assassination as a political tool, reiterating that Lebanon must close the chapter of its past and bring an end to impunity for political assassinations and other politically motivated violence.  
He renewed the United States' commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon. 


Senior State Department Officials Visit Lebanon

March 11, 2013 Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Diplomacy Amos Hochstein and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Lawrence Silverman visited Lebanon today and met with senior officials to discuss the political, economic and security situation in Lebanon and other regional issues. 
They had meetings with President Michel Sleiman, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Minister of Energy and Water Gebran Bassil.
In their meetings, Mr. Hochstein and Mr. Silverman expressed their support for the Lebanese government's efforts to implement fair and transparent regulations for Lebanon's energy sector, and discussed Lebanon's maritime exclusive economic zone.
They commended the Government of Lebanon and the generosity of the Lebanese people for hosting and supporting a growing number of Syrian refugees who have fled the brutal violence of the Asad regime.  They further underscored the United States' commitment to assist refugees from Syria and the Lebanese communities that host them.  To date the United States has provided $385 million in humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees in Syria and neighboring countries, of which $51 million has been provided for refugees in Lebanon, and $115 million in non-lethal support to the Syrian opposition.  They noted that the United States has urged all nations who pledged support at the Kuwait conference to disburse their pledged funds to the United Nations, noting that the United States' pledge of $155 million has already been disbursed. 
They also welcomed the efforts of Lebanese leaders to reach consensus and uphold Lebanon's democratic and constitutional principles and hold parliamentary elections on time.  They further called for all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's stability and security.
They renewed the United States' commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

Thursday, March 07, 2013

U.S. Assistance to the Internal Security Forces

March 6, 2013

Fact Sheet

Since 2006, the United States has provided over $100 million to the Internal Security Forces (ISF) through various assistance programs that provide training, facility upgrades and construction, vehicles, and equipment. This assistance is coordinated by the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and is part of U.S. efforts to support the development of the ISF into a modern professional police force that is capable ensuring Lebanon's security and stability while serving and protecting all of Lebanon's citizens.
One key component of U.S. assistance to the ISF is the Aramoun Training Academy. This $9.7 million program will provide modern facilities and policing and investigative techniques through a tactical training village, a forensics investigative laboratory and classrooms, a shooting range, and a vehicle maintenance facility.
The tactical training facility will provide a realistic urban setting for training for officers and recruits of the Internal Security Forces. The complex will include replicated schools, checkpoints, residential and commercial buildings to provide hands on, scenario-based training to teach investigative techniques, firearms skills, and modern police tactics. Scenarios will include: investigations, domestic incidents, planning and making arrests, processing evidence at crime scenes, conducting interviews and searches, and clearing areas and buildings so they are safe to enter. The vehicle maintenance facility will provide long-term maintenance and repair for the ISF's vehicle fleet, including over 500 patrol cars and specialty vehicles provided through U.S. assistance.
In addition, the United States through its Civilian Police (CIVPOL) mission has provided American instructors and trained over 9,100 cadets and in-service trainees, including 610 female cadets, in the following courses: basic cadet, supervisor, basic instructor, in-service training, and community policing. Basic cadet training teaches policing principles and concepts in order to familiarize new cadets with the concept of civilian policing and with the roles they will play in a larger police force. In July 2012, following the completion of a "train the trainer" course, the CIVPOL mission fully transferred to the ISF's cadre of police training professionals.
The shared goal of the U.S. assistance program is to produce a police force that is publicly trusted, professionally trained, uses professional policing principles, and respects human rights. Such a force is better capable of protecting the people of Lebanon and ensuring the country's security and stability.

The United States is committed to enhancing the ISF's capacity through the use of modern policing techniques and methods, specialized equipment, and enhanced mobility and deployment capabilities. Over the past three years, the United States has provided over 500 police vehicles, prisoner transport buses to assist with alleviating overcrowding at Roumieh prison, as well as the refurbishment of armored personnel carriers. In 2012, the United States provided $28 million in assistance to the ISF, including construction of the Aramoun Training Academy, the establishment of a nationwide secure radio program to help dispatch ISF officers quickly in emergencies, and assistance with equipment purchases and training programs for dozens of ISF units.

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Statement by Ambassador Connelly following Meeting with Speaker Berri

March 4, 2013

The Speaker and I had a very constructive discussion about the current situation in Lebanon. I shared the Speaker's concern about the security situation within Lebanon and along its borders. I also reiterated U.S. support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces in coordination with Lebanon's leaders to maintain stability in Lebanon.

I would like to repeat here again the United States' strong condemnation of repeated border violations made by Syrian regime forces into Lebanon, many of which result in Lebanese casualties.

I briefed the Speaker on Secretary Kerry's recent announcement of U.S. non-lethal assistance to the military wing of the Syrian opposition and emphasized President Obama's commitment to helping accelerate a political transition in Syria to a democratic and inclusive post-Asad government that protects the rights of all its citizens. The Speaker and I also discussed Lebanon's disassociation policy and I noted the U.S. view that it is important that all parties in Lebanon abide by it.

We also discussed issues surrounding the debate over a new electoral law for Lebanon and I relayed our appreciation of the efforts the Speaker has been making to forge a consensus that would allow elections to be held on time. I also conveyed to the Speaker our view that Lebanon's democratic process is an immensely valuable achievement and that we appreciate the extraordinary efforts exerted by the President, the Speaker, and the Prime Minister to adhere to the requirement of the Lebanese Constitution to hold elections on time.
As one of the oldest democracies in the region, Lebanon, we believe, should adhere to its constitutionally-mandated election schedule. The Lebanese people know that one of the requirements of free and fair elections is that they should be held on time. We appreciate the concerns voiced by many Lebanese that the electoral system can and should be improved. And we support efforts to reach a consensus on a new formulation that serves the fundamental Lebanese aspiration for a system that unifies the Lebanese people while respecting their various identities. If a new system cannot be agreed upon in the very near term, in our view, failure to achieve consensus on a new law does not mean Parliamentary elections cannot be held on time. We encourage Lebanon to hold its elections on time.

The United States supports Lebanon's democratic process and the Lebanese Constitution.