BEIRUT: Two senior US diplomatic envoys sought to reassure Lebanese leaders yesterday of Washington’s continued support despite its recent rapprochement with former powerbroker Syria.
“My visit here today underscores an important reality — the United States’ support for a sovereign and independent Lebanon remains unwavering,” Jeffrey Feltman said after meeting with President Michel Suleiman as well as the country’s premier and foreign minister.
The former US ambassador to Lebanon said Washington’s overtures to the Syrian regime was in line with the policy of new US President Barack Obama engage states in the region, including its foes.
“The president has said he wants to sustain in principle engagement with all states in the region and that includes Syria,” he said.
However, Feltman stressed that Washington had a “long list” of concerns that he and fellow envoy Daniel Shapiro planned to discuss with Syrian officials when they meet at the weekend.
“We’ll talk to the Syrians about many many issues but about Lebanon, the message is clear: The US and the international community... all agree Lebanon is for the Lebanese,” he added.
US officials have repeatedly maintained that renewed ties with Syria, which for years held sway in Lebanese politics, would not be at the expense of Lebanon.
Since 2006, the United States has committed to giving $410 million in military assistance to Lebanon as it seeks to bolster the country’s pro-Western government.
Feltman and Shapiro arrived on Thursday and first met parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri, the son and political heir of ex-premier Rafik Hariri who was killed in a massive Beirut car bombing in 2005.
The attack paved the way for the pullout of Syrian troops from Lebanon after a 29-year presence but Damascus has consistently denied accusations it was behind the bombing.
Feltman said it was appropriate to meet first with Hariri as an international tribunal to try the killers of his father is in its first week of operation in The Hague.
He also hailed the June 7 legislative election in Lebanon.
The poll will pit the Western-backed majority in parliament against a Hezbollah-led alliance backed by Syria and Iran.
