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U.S. officials paid frequent visits to Lebanon in the past two weeks, discussing regional issues with Lebanese leaders, and showing U.S. commitment to Lebanon's independence and sovereignty. Among the visitors are Middle East envoy George Mitchell, National Security Advisor James Jones, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs David Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Hale, former presidential candidate, Republican senator John McCain and Senator Alcee Hastings, etc.. Mitchell visited here on Tuesday and Wednesday, as a part of his Mideast trip that also includes Syria, Israel and Palestinian territories. Mitchell met with major Lebanese leaders, including President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Foreign Minister Ali El-Chami. Mitchell conveyed to Lebanese leaders the commitment of President Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to comprehensive peace in the Middle East, which includes peace between Israel and the Palestinians, Israel and Syria, and Israel and Lebanon and the full normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab states. He reiterated that there would not be a lasting solution reached at Lebanon's expense. Mitchell also confirmed that the U.S. will not support the forced naturalization of Palestinians in Lebanon. Mitchell's visit came after U.S. National Security Advisor Jim Jones' Beirut trip last week. During his meeting with top Lebanese leaders, Jones expressed support for strengthening Lebanon's state institutions, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces. Jones reiterated the Obama's commitment to strengthening the partnership between the United States and Lebanon across a broad range of issues. Like Mitchell, Jones also stressed U.S. efforts to achieve a comprehensive regional peace that will not come at Lebanon's expense. Jones also discussed with Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji about U.S. aids to the Lebanese Army and means of activating military cooperation. When meeting with Jones, Hariri requested the United States to pressure Israel for achieving regional peace, and asked the United States to back the Lebanese army to enable proper implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and to face any regional threats. During his visit in Beirut on January 11, David Johnson discussed with Lebanon's Interior Security Forces (ISF) chief Achraf Rifi about U.S. assistance to ISF. The U.S. embassy in Lebanon issued a statement saying that the assistance will help to support the full sovereignty of a Lebanese government representing all of its people, and ISF capable of protecting Lebanon's citizens and the rule of law. McCain, who is accompanied by a delegation from the U.S. congress, visited Lebanon on January 8 and discussed regional issues with Lebanese leaders. Suleiman called on the international community, topped by the United States, to pressure the Israeli side regarding the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the halting of all kinds of violations against Lebanese sovereignty. I am a professional editor from http://www.himfr.com/, and my work is to promote a free online trade platform. http://www.himfr.com/ contain a great deal of information about auto soap dispenser,gem refractometer,rhinestone heat transfer, welcome to visit!
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