Near East: Remarks With Greek Orthodox Bishop Elias Audi After Their Meeting

Remarks

Michael R. Pompeo

Secretary of State

Bishop Audi's Office

Beirut, Lebanon

March 23, 2019

SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. (Inaudible.) It's wonderful to see you. (Inaudible.)

QUESTION: A few words about your visit?

SECRETARY POMPEO: We had a great visit with a --

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, can you please turn for the camera, please?

SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah, of course. We had a very nice visit with a dear friend. I enjoyed it very much. We've known – we've known – (inaudible) have known Bishop Audi for a long time. It was great to be with you today.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, do you have any reaction to the SDF declaration? Does this mean that the U.S. troop drawdown will begin? And is the administration willing to provide some additional funding to prevent a resurgence?

SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah, our mission there hasn't changed. We still have work to do to make sure that radical Islamic terrorism doesn't continue to grow. Thank you all very much. Thank you.

QUESTION: Secretary Pompeo --

SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you.

QUESTION: Secretary Pompeo --

SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, thank you. So long. I'm sorry, we've got to run.

QUESTION: Did you come to Lebanon to say to --

SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. Thank you, my friend.