press releases 2009

U.S. Congressional Delegation Visits Lebanon

April 9, 2009

Five members of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress visited Lebanon today.  The members were:   Russ Carnahan (Democrat – Missouri), Mazie Hirono (Democrat – Hawaii), Jim McDermott (Democrat – Washington), Ben Chandler (Democrat – Kentucky), and Diane Watson (Democrat – California).  The members expressed their support for a sovereign and democratic Lebanon. 

Accompanied by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, the representatives met with President Michel Sleiman, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Abdel Latif Zein, UNIFIL Commander Claudio Graziano, and American University of Beirut students who receive scholarships with funding provided by the U.S. Government through the United States Agency for International Development.  The Representatives also visited the memorial to Rafiq Hariri in Beirut.

This congressional visit underscores the U.S. Government’s commitment to Lebanon, its state institutions and its citizens.  The U.S. Government will continue to support the government of Lebanon as it continues to safeguard the peace, unity and sovereignty of Lebanon.