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.