Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on Lisa O. Monaco’s Meeting with Lebanese Minister of the Interior Nouhad al-Machnouk

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 24, 2015

This afternoon, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco met with Lebanese Minister of the Interior Nouhad Al-Machnouk to discuss the U.S.–Lebanon partnership and regional security concerns, including the international effort to degrade and defeat ISIL.  Ms. Monaco commended the performance of the Internal Security Forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces in safeguarding Lebanon's security and sovereignty in the midst of ongoing regional challenges and reiterated the need for all Lebanese parties to implement the policy of dissociation, including from the Syrian conflict.  Lebanon's security forces alone have the legitimacy and responsibility to defend Lebanon's borders and safeguard its citizens, and are accountable to all Lebanese citizens.  Ms. Monaco and Minister Machnouk also agreed on the need for sustained international support to aid Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon.  Ms. Monaco expressed her hope that Lebanon's parliament will take steps to elect a president of the Lebanese Republic in accordance with the constitution.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

U.S. Department of the Treasury Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Daniel Glaser Visits Lebanon

March 17, 2015

Today Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing Daniel Glaser visited Lebanon and met with Prime Minister Tammam Salam, Minister of Finance Ali Hassan Khalil, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil, Minister of Interior and Municipalities Nouhad Mashnouk, Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, and the Association of Banks of Lebanon.

In his meetings, Assistant Secretary Glaser encouraged Lebanese authorities and financial institutions to continue their work to combat the threat of illicit financing and prevent attempts to evade U.S. and international financial sanctions from Iran and Syria, in particular. 

Assistant Secretary Glaser also discussed ISIL's financing and the U.S. and international efforts to combat its financial networks.  He reiterated the U.S. commitment to work with Lebanon to continue protecting Lebanon's financial system from abuse by terrorism threats. 

Friday, March 13, 2015

Remarks by Ambassador David Hale Following his Meeting with Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil

March 13, 2015

I just had a very productive meeting with my friend Foreign Minister Bassil.  We discussed the continued political and security challenges that Lebanon faces today.  Supporting Lebanon's policy of dissociation and helping to insulate Lebanon from the spillover of extremism from Syria are important goals for the United States. 

Lebanon's role in the global effort to counter violent extremism is key.  Lebanon's example of coexistence contrasts with the barbarism of extremists, such as Daesh and al-Nusra, who target Middle Eastern Christians, minorities, women – in fact all of us are targets.  The challenge is complex and multi-faceted, and so is our response.  The strategy to counter and destroy such extremism has five aspects.  In addition to the military effort, there is a global effort to stop the flow of foreign fighters to the area, to cut extremists' finances, to provide humanitarian relief and support to victims, and to counter extremist propaganda.  Success requires cooperation across the globe.  62 countries have come together in a coalition to put an end to this threat. 

Here in Lebanon, we have to be sober.  The risk of spillover of terrorism and extremism from Syria is not over.  And I think it is very important to emphasize that as you face these security challenges, Lebanon has many strengths:  

--The Army and the security services have the will and the commitment to defend Lebanon, and are doing so with courage and determination.

--The Lebanese nation is united behind the effort to counter violent extremism.

--You are not alone.  You can count on continuous and meaningful support from America and from others to ensure that you have the means to fight.

--Our common values distinguish us from these barbaric extremists.  These common values are stronger than any false appeal from the extremists; therefore we will prevail.

--Finally, the international community may have differences elsewhere in the region, but we are united in our desire to help Lebanon insulate itself from these external threats and conflicts.

Tackling the threats will not be easy, but I am confident that, together, we can ensure that Daesh will never find safe haven in Lebanon. 

Friday, March 06, 2015

UN silence on a mortal threat to Israel

The world body stands idly by as Hezbollah aims its deadly arsenal at the Jewish State's northern border
BY GRACE MENG AND MARK MEADOWS March 1, 2015, 11:49 am

Yet again, Iran is instigating violence and instability in the Middle East. Although it has been nine years since the Israel-Hezbollah war, the recent altercations between Israel and Iranian client Hezbollah show tensions can escalate at any time. Hezbollah's brazen attack on an Israeli military convoy killed two Israeli soldiers and a U.N. peacekeeper. This marks the most serious flare-up since 2006 and could lead to a much broader conflagration.

The U.S. State Department strongly condemned Hezbollah's action and called it "a blatant violation of the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel and the UN Security Council Resolution 1701." The UN Security Council passed Resolution 1701 after the 2006 war in Lebanon in order to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and bring an end to the war. Israel withdrew from Lebanon explicitly because of the guarantees in 1701, which prohibits "sales or supply of arms and related material to Lebanon except as authorized by its Government" and calls for the "establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL."

Unfortunately, 1701 has been routinely violated since it passed in 2006, and since that time there have been no penalties against its violators and scant attention to the issue in international fora. It is long past time for the U.N. and Lebanon to enforce this critically important U.N. Security Council Resolution before the violence gets dramatically worse.

Under 1701, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) forces are mandated to engage Hezbollah fighters in order to ensure that UNIFIL's area of operations is not used for hostile activities, and to assist the government of Lebanon in affirming that all militias are disarmed. Despite consistent evidence of Hezbollah's massive violations of the resolution and a lack of cooperation from the Lebanese Armed Forces, the U.N., sadly, has failed to act for over eight years and is failing to meet its obligations pursuant to 1701.

During that eight year period, Hezbollah – a clear, unauthorized, armed militia — has consolidated its hold on southern Lebanon and has amassed an arsenal of rockets and missiles estimated at close to 100,000, all aimed at Israel. According to recent reports, Iran has supplied Hezbollah with new advanced "Fateh" missiles, with a range of 250-350 kilometers and capable of carrying a 500kg warhead.

In addition to its rocket arsenal, Hezbollah has reportedly acquired advanced air and coastal defense systems from or through Syria, and enhanced its anti-armor and anti-tank weaponry. Both the quantity and quality of these missiles in Hezbollah's arsenal could threaten to overpower Israel's missile defense system, triggering a quick reaction to nullify the missile threat and causing substantial casualties on both sides.

Unlike Iran and Hezbollah, Israel has fully complied with Resolution 1701. Israel has not only upheld its responsibilities under the resolution by fully withdrawing from Lebanon, but has also acted with great restraint in its response to Hezbollah activities in Lebanon and Syria. Additionally, Israel has worked with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to offer humanitarian support to Lebanon, and it has treated victims from Syria in Israeli hospitals.

After withdrawing from southern Lebanon in 2006, however, Israel today faces a northern border that is far more unstable, volatile, and threatening because the government of Lebanon and the United Nations have failed to live up to their commitments. As a result, Israel's major population centers are threatened as never before by Hezbollah's missiles and rockets.

Another war between Israel and Hezbollah would have devastating consequences for all the parties involved. As an organization created to help maintain peace and stability, the United Nations has unfortunately thus far failed to do so in southern Lebanon, despite the clear mandate of resolution 1701. The world has wavered in its commitments as Hezbollah has amassed an arsenal of 100,000 rockets and missiles, including Iranian-supplied advanced "Fateh" missiles, located south of the Litani River along the border with Israel. Continued UN and international inaction here will engender more violence that will significantly damage Israel, Lebanon, and the cause of peace and stability in the Middle East.

U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY) and Mark Meadows (R-NC) are members of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East.

Statement by Ambassador David Hale Following His Meeting with Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouk

March 6, 2015

Good morning.  I just had an excellent meeting with Minister Machnouk.  A prime topic was his upcoming visit to Washington.  We very much welcome his visit and look forward to senior level discussions on how we can further deepen security cooperation between our two countries.

 

Lebanon is facing serious challenges and threats, and we need to be sober about them.  The spillover of terrorism and extremism from Syria is not over.  The harm to Lebanese stability caused by Hizballah's violation of the policy of dissociation continues.  Hizballah's readiness to violate international norms and UN Security Council resolutions was made self-evident in January.  Hizballah continues to make life and death decisions for all of Lebanon, yet consults no one, is accountable to no Lebanese, and answers to foreign powers.  We all know the difficulties brought upon Lebanon by the presence of so many refugees from Syria.  While the United States has contributed $660 million to date to help Lebanon cope with the humanitarian needs of the refugees and Lebanon's host communities, we know the stress is enormous.  Economic trends in the country have been downward since the presidency fell vacant.

 

Disputes over the election of a president have brought the normal functioning of government to a standstill.  Yet, this is a time when all elements of the state should be working in unison to address these and other problems, in accordance with the Constitution and the National Pact.  There is no reason for delay and it is time to put Lebanon's stability ahead of partisan politics.  There should be no expectation of foreign deals to choose a president.  Instead of looking outside Lebanon for answers, we urge Lebanon's leaders to respect their own Constitution and elect their own president, on their own.

 

Meanwhile, as you face these security challenges arising from Syria, it is important to look at Lebanon's sources of strength.  First, the Army and security services have the will and commitment to defend Lebanon, and are doing so with courage.  Second, the Lebanese nation is united behind the effort to counter violent extremism.  Third, you are not alone.  You can count on continuous and meaningful support from the United States and others to ensure that the Army has the means to fight.  Fourth, our common values distinguish us from these barbaric extremists.  Our values are stronger than the false appeal from the extremists, and therefore we will prevail.  And finally, the international community may have differences elsewhere in the region, but it is united in its desire to help Lebanon insulate itself from these external threats and conflicts.  Tackling the threats will not be easy, but I am confident that, together, we will succeed.  Thank you very much.  

Statement by Ambassador David Hale Following His Meeting with Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouk

March 6, 2015

Good morning.  I just had an excellent meeting with Minister Machnouk.  A prime topic was his upcoming visit to Washington.  We very much welcome his visit and look forward to senior level discussions on how we can further deepen security cooperation between our two countries.

 

Lebanon is facing serious challenges and threats, and we need to be sober about them.  The spillover of terrorism and extremism from Syria is not over.  The harm to Lebanese stability caused by Hizballah's violation of the policy of dissociation continues.  Hizballah's readiness to violate international norms and UN Security Council resolutions was made self-evident in January.  Hizballah continues to make life and death decisions for all of Lebanon, yet consults no one, is accountable to no Lebanese, and answers to foreign powers.  We all know the difficulties brought upon Lebanon by the presence of so many refugees from Syria.  While the United States has contributed $660 million to date to help Lebanon cope with the humanitarian needs of the refugees and Lebanon's host communities, we know the stress is enormous.  Economic trends in the country have been downward since the presidency fell vacant.

 

Disputes over the election of a president have brought the normal functioning of government to a standstill.  Yet, this is a time when all elements of the state should be working in unison to address these and other problems, in accordance with the Constitution and the National Pact.  There is no reason for delay and it is time to put Lebanon's stability ahead of partisan politics.  There should be no expectation of foreign deals to choose a president.  Instead of looking outside Lebanon for answers, we urge Lebanon's leaders to respect their own Constitution and elect their own president, on their own.

 

Meanwhile, as you face these security challenges arising from Syria, it is important to look at Lebanon's sources of strength.  First, the Army and security services have the will and commitment to defend Lebanon, and are doing so with courage.  Second, the Lebanese nation is united behind the effort to counter violent extremism.  Third, you are not alone.  You can count on continuous and meaningful support from the United States and others to ensure that the Army has the means to fight.  Fourth, our common values distinguish us from these barbaric extremists.  Our values are stronger than the false appeal from the extremists, and therefore we will prevail.  And finally, the international community may have differences elsewhere in the region, but it is united in its desire to help Lebanon insulate itself from these external threats and conflicts.  Tackling the threats will not be easy, but I am confident that, together, we will succeed.  Thank you very much.