U.S. Ambassador Meets with Ministers of Justice, Labor

February 3, 2010

On February 3, 2010 U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michele J. Sison met separately with Minister of Justice Ibrahim Najjar and Minister of Labor Boutros Harb. 

At the Ministry of Justice, Ambassador Sison reiterated to Minister Najjar that the United States is fully committed to supporting the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.  Ambassador Sison and Minister Najjar also discussed the ongoing cooperation between the U.S. Government and the Ministry in strengthening the independence of the judiciary and providing Lebanon's citizens with easier access to the Lebanese justice system.  In cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, the United States is currently funding an $8.1 million project through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).   Assistance includes the renovation of the Ministry's Judicial Training Institute (JTI), which will provide a modern training and resource center for judges.  The program will also renovate of the Beirut Executions Court, which will streamline and modernize operations for this facility, supporting efforts by the Ministry to improve court administration to reduce case backlogs, improve case management techniques, and increase transparency.  USAID-funded renovations of the Beirut Executions Court and the five-floor JTI facility currently underway total over $1.6 million.  Through the "Strengthening the Independence of the Judiciary and Citizen Access to Justice in Lebanon" program, the U.S. will continue to work with Lebanon to help improve citizens' access to justice, enhance public engagement, support reform efforts, and foster a culture of respect for the Rule of Law in Lebanon.

Ambassador Sison and the Minister of Labor Boutros Harb discussed shared efforts by the U.S. and Lebanon to combat trafficking in persons and child labor.  Ambassador Sison also stressed the United States' commitment to helping improve the lives of Lebanese living in economically underserved areas.  Through USAID, a variety of  job-creation initiatives in Lebanon.