Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Mikati

11/04/2023 08:29 AM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today in Amman with Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The Secretary shared his deep concern about exchanges of fire along Lebanon's southern border with Israel and stressed the importance of ensuring the Israel-Hamas conflict does not spread elsewhere.  Secretary Blinken thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership in preventing Lebanon from being pulled into a war that the Lebanese people do not want, as well as his efforts with regional partners to pursue durable and sustainable peace in the region. The Secretary discussed U.S. efforts to secure humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza and noted that Lebanon needs to select a President to lead the country through both the regional and domestic crises.

One Year Anniversary of Lebanon’s Presidential Vacancy

PRESS STATEMENT

MATTHEW MILLER, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Exactly one year after the end of former President Aoun's term, Lebanon remains without a president or an empowered government.  Lebanon's divided parliamentarians have failed to elect a successor to President Aoun, putting their personal ambitions ahead of the interests of their country.  Even as rising tensions along Lebanon's southern border threaten the country's stability and the economic crisis deepens, the Lebanese people are deprived of leadership when they need it most.

Lebanon's political paralysis does not benefit the Lebanese people.  We call on the country's parliamentarians to do their duty and elect a president who will put the country and all its people first, commit to forming a government free of corruption, and implement critical economic reforms – chief among them those needed to secure an IMF program, the country's only viable path out of the current economic crisis.   

The Lebanese people deserve a president who can unite the nation and guide Lebanon safely through the current challenges.