PRESS RELEASES 2007

Statement by Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs C. David Welch, Grand Serail

May 16, 2007

My visit today aims first and foremost to assure the Lebanese people that United States support for Lebanon remains unshakable. These words are backed by generous contributions to Lebanon from the United States -- to rebuild after last summer’s conflict, to promote prosperity through job creation and economic development, and to advance Lebanese goals for transparency, accountability and reform. And we’ve used our leadership to advocate for international support for Lebanon and the Lebanese people.

I appreciate the exchange of ideas I had with Prime Minister Siniora today about ways in which the United States could continue to assist the Lebanese people in achieving their goal of a secure, democratic, prosperous and united Lebanon. Our governments have over the past year engaged in ongoing discussions on bilateral, regional, and international issues. Today’s meeting was yet another useful and productive discussion on how to both promote freedom and democracy in Lebanon as well as peace and security in the region. And it goes without saying that foremost among our regional goals must be the establishment of a Palestinian state that will enable both Palestinians and Israelis to enjoy peace and security and that will at last give the Palestinians a state of their own.

I shared with the Prime Minister as well my belief that the Lebanese people have a unique opportunity now to take their future in their hands by electing a new president—on time, in accordance with the Constitution, and free of outside interference. For the members of Lebanon’s democratically elected Parliament, casting a vote for president, freely and without coercion, would be a significant milestone towards the Lebanese people’s goal of sovereignty and independence.

During my visit to Beirut I am meeting with a diverse group of Lebanese leaders. I look forward to briefing Secretary of State Rice and other U.S. Government officials on these discussions and ways in which the Lebanese people believe the United States can further support freedom and democracy in the Middle East and, in Lebanon in particular.

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