Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Chargé d’Affaires Meets with Caretaker Prime Minister Mikati‏

May 10, 2013
U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Lebanon Richard M. Mills, Jr. met with Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati today.  Caretaker Prime Minister Mikati and Mr. Mills discussed bilateral relations as well as the security situation in Lebanon and regional events. 
Mr. Mills expressed the United States' grave concern and condemned the continued shelling of Lebanese territory from Syria.  He reiterated the United States' support for the principles of the Baabda Declaration and Lebanon's dissociation policy.  He further called on all parties in the region to avoid any actions that would exacerbate the crisis in Syria, increase the propensity for spillover violence, and negatively impact civilian populations.
Mr. Mills also expressed the United States' strong concern over Hizballah's involvement in Syria, fighting on behalf of the Asad regime, which risks drawing Lebanon into the conflict and is counter to the Lebanese government's policies. 
Mr. Mills renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon.