U.S. Pledges Open-Ended Support to Lebanon's Post-Syria Transformation
U.S. ambassador Jeffrey Feltman has given the most emphatic outline so far of the Bush administration's policy toward Lebanon in the aftermath of Syria's evacuation, pledging support to the transformation process in the May-June elections and afterwards.
Feltman made the move after a closed-doors meeting with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir at his Bkirki seat on Monday, which grabbed page-one headlines of the Beirut press on Tuesday.
Reading from a written statement after the meeting, Feltman said the United States was promoting a process in cooperation with the international community by which the Lebanese people themselves will have the freedom to determine their own fate.
"This process does not aim to replace one type of foreign interference with another but is designed to return decision making for Lebanon fully back into the hands of the Lebanese," he said.
"The process that the international community is supporting has several components. One important milestone was the departure, less than one month ago, of all Syrian military forces from Lebanon accompanied by the closure of important Syrian Military Intelligence offices."
Feltman gave the credit for Syria's departure to strong international consensus and the Lebanese people's resolve that was ignited by ex-Premier Hariri's assassination.
"The photographs beamed around the world of the Lebanese people working together on March 14 inspired the world and renewed the international commitment to assist the Lebanese in this process," the ambassador said.
"According to our analysis, the fact that most Syrian assets were withdrawn shows how much the Lebanese can accomplish when they pull together," he added.
Feltman stressed the U.S. support for the investigation of Hariri's murder by a newly formed U.N. Commission of Inquiry.
"The United States, with the international community, also supports the upcoming legislative elections in the timeframe announced by the Government of Lebanon," he said.
"We view these elections as another important step toward the full recovery of Lebanese sovereignty and independence. In that regard, we welcome the commitment of the Government of Lebanon to cooperate fully with international election monitors and those providing technical assistance," Feltman added.
"It is worth noting that, in our view, the process of Lebanon's transformation does not end with the conclusion of the upcoming elections. The international community and the United States stand ready to assist the Parliament and the Cabinet that will emerge from these elections as they work to address the needs of Lebanon and to serve as credible representatives of all of the population of Lebanon." the ambassador asserted.
"It is clear to us that the people of Lebanon are asking not only for a complete recovery of Lebanon's sovereignty. The Lebanese people are also demanding a meaningful reform program that will restore people's confidence in their governing institutions. To the extent that U.S. assistance is welcome in this process, we look forward to promoting these Lebanese goals," Feltman said.
Feltman made the move after a closed-doors meeting with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir at his Bkirki seat on Monday, which grabbed page-one headlines of the Beirut press on Tuesday.
Reading from a written statement after the meeting, Feltman said the United States was promoting a process in cooperation with the international community by which the Lebanese people themselves will have the freedom to determine their own fate.
"This process does not aim to replace one type of foreign interference with another but is designed to return decision making for Lebanon fully back into the hands of the Lebanese," he said.
"The process that the international community is supporting has several components. One important milestone was the departure, less than one month ago, of all Syrian military forces from Lebanon accompanied by the closure of important Syrian Military Intelligence offices."
Feltman gave the credit for Syria's departure to strong international consensus and the Lebanese people's resolve that was ignited by ex-Premier Hariri's assassination.
"The photographs beamed around the world of the Lebanese people working together on March 14 inspired the world and renewed the international commitment to assist the Lebanese in this process," the ambassador said.
"According to our analysis, the fact that most Syrian assets were withdrawn shows how much the Lebanese can accomplish when they pull together," he added.
Feltman stressed the U.S. support for the investigation of Hariri's murder by a newly formed U.N. Commission of Inquiry.
"The United States, with the international community, also supports the upcoming legislative elections in the timeframe announced by the Government of Lebanon," he said.
"We view these elections as another important step toward the full recovery of Lebanese sovereignty and independence. In that regard, we welcome the commitment of the Government of Lebanon to cooperate fully with international election monitors and those providing technical assistance," Feltman added.
"It is worth noting that, in our view, the process of Lebanon's transformation does not end with the conclusion of the upcoming elections. The international community and the United States stand ready to assist the Parliament and the Cabinet that will emerge from these elections as they work to address the needs of Lebanon and to serve as credible representatives of all of the population of Lebanon." the ambassador asserted.
"It is clear to us that the people of Lebanon are asking not only for a complete recovery of Lebanon's sovereignty. The Lebanese people are also demanding a meaningful reform program that will restore people's confidence in their governing institutions. To the extent that U.S. assistance is welcome in this process, we look forward to promoting these Lebanese goals," Feltman said.
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