Special Assistant to the President Dr. Philip Gordon Visits Lebanon
May 14, 2013
Media Notice
For Immediate Release
Special Assistant to the President and White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and Gulf Region Dr. Philip Gordon visited Lebanon today as part of a regional tour and met with senior officials to discuss the political, economic, and security situation in Lebanon and other regional issues.
Dr. Gordon had meetings with President Michel Sleiman, President of the Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih Berri, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, United Nations High Commission for Refugees Lebanon Country Representative Ninette Kelley, Progressive Socialist Party Leader MP Walid Jumblatt, Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi, and March 14 leaders.
In his meetings, Dr. Gordon commended the Lebanese government and the generosity of the Lebanese people for hosting and supporting over 463,000 refugees from Syria who have fled the brutal violence of the Asad regime. He welcomed the Lebanese government's continued efforts to meet its humanitarian obligations to keep its borders open for refugees in need, provide protection, and work with the international community to provide assistance. Dr. Gordon underscored the United States' continued commitment to Lebanon to provide assistance to refugees as well as support for Lebanese host communities. As part of this ongoing U.S. commitment, Dr. Gordon announced an additional $10 million in assistance for Lebanese host communities and Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This assistance, which will be available after Congressional review, builds on the United States' existing $83 million total assistance commitment in Lebanon for the Syria crisis. The United States urges all international donors to help Lebanon meet its obligations to the refugees.
Dr. Gordon expressed the United States' grave concern about the situation in Syria and condemned 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 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 affect civilian populations. Dr. Gordon also condemned 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.
Dr. Gordon conveyed the United States' appreciation for ongoing efforts by responsible Lebanese leaders to preserve Lebanon's stability and to fulfill its international obligations. He also expressed U.S. support for the extraordinary efforts exerted by Lebanese leaders to adhere to Lebanon's legal and constitutional framework to hold timely parliamentary elections.
He renewed the United States' commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.
Media Notice
For Immediate Release
Special Assistant to the President and White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and Gulf Region Dr. Philip Gordon visited Lebanon today as part of a regional tour and met with senior officials to discuss the political, economic, and security situation in Lebanon and other regional issues.
Dr. Gordon had meetings with President Michel Sleiman, President of the Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih Berri, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, United Nations High Commission for Refugees Lebanon Country Representative Ninette Kelley, Progressive Socialist Party Leader MP Walid Jumblatt, Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi, and March 14 leaders.
In his meetings, Dr. Gordon commended the Lebanese government and the generosity of the Lebanese people for hosting and supporting over 463,000 refugees from Syria who have fled the brutal violence of the Asad regime. He welcomed the Lebanese government's continued efforts to meet its humanitarian obligations to keep its borders open for refugees in need, provide protection, and work with the international community to provide assistance. Dr. Gordon underscored the United States' continued commitment to Lebanon to provide assistance to refugees as well as support for Lebanese host communities. As part of this ongoing U.S. commitment, Dr. Gordon announced an additional $10 million in assistance for Lebanese host communities and Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This assistance, which will be available after Congressional review, builds on the United States' existing $83 million total assistance commitment in Lebanon for the Syria crisis. The United States urges all international donors to help Lebanon meet its obligations to the refugees.
Dr. Gordon expressed the United States' grave concern about the situation in Syria and condemned 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 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 affect civilian populations. Dr. Gordon also condemned 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.
Dr. Gordon conveyed the United States' appreciation for ongoing efforts by responsible Lebanese leaders to preserve Lebanon's stability and to fulfill its international obligations. He also expressed U.S. support for the extraordinary efforts exerted by Lebanese leaders to adhere to Lebanon's legal and constitutional framework to hold timely parliamentary elections.
He renewed the United States' commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.
posted by DELTA BLOG at 1:28 PM
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