Statement by Ambassador Connelly following Meeting with Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati
Aug 7 2013 - The Caretaker Prime Minister and I had a very cordial discussion about the current situation in Lebanon. In our meeting, I reiterated U.S. support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces who are working in coordination with Lebanon's leaders to maintain security and stability in Lebanon.
As my time here in Lebanon comes to an end, I would like to underscore that the United States remains committed to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon. The United States and the international community recognize that Lebanon is grappling with the effects of spillover from the Syrian crisis. The best defense against such spillover and the best means to protect Lebanon is to strengthen the institutions of the state, for all parties to respect Lebanon's democratic process, and for Lebanon's leaders to be responsible to the Lebanese electorate and protect the interests of all Lebanese.
In order to achieve this goal and insulate Lebanon from the effects of the Syrian crisis, the United States supports the calls on all parties to abide by the disassociation policy and to respect their commitments to the Baabda Declaration. We strongly encourage Lebanese leaders to expeditiously form a new government and to finalize their work on a new electoral law that would renew the Parliament and allow Lebanon's democratic process to get back on track.
We also call on all parties to respect the institutions of the state. Hizballah's unilateral involvement in the Syrian conflict risks dragging Lebanon into that conflict and further undermines the Lebanese state.
As I noted to Foreign Minister Mansour in our meeting earlier today, the United States commends the European Union's recent decision to designate Hizballah, which sends a strong message that Hizballah cannot operate with impunity and that there are consequences for its actions, such as the Burgas bombing and its terrorist plot in Cyprus. Thank you.
As my time here in Lebanon comes to an end, I would like to underscore that the United States remains committed to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon. The United States and the international community recognize that Lebanon is grappling with the effects of spillover from the Syrian crisis. The best defense against such spillover and the best means to protect Lebanon is to strengthen the institutions of the state, for all parties to respect Lebanon's democratic process, and for Lebanon's leaders to be responsible to the Lebanese electorate and protect the interests of all Lebanese.
In order to achieve this goal and insulate Lebanon from the effects of the Syrian crisis, the United States supports the calls on all parties to abide by the disassociation policy and to respect their commitments to the Baabda Declaration. We strongly encourage Lebanese leaders to expeditiously form a new government and to finalize their work on a new electoral law that would renew the Parliament and allow Lebanon's democratic process to get back on track.
We also call on all parties to respect the institutions of the state. Hizballah's unilateral involvement in the Syrian conflict risks dragging Lebanon into that conflict and further undermines the Lebanese state.
As I noted to Foreign Minister Mansour in our meeting earlier today, the United States commends the European Union's recent decision to designate Hizballah, which sends a strong message that Hizballah cannot operate with impunity and that there are consequences for its actions, such as the Burgas bombing and its terrorist plot in Cyprus. Thank you.
posted by DELTA BLOG at 1:41 PM
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