2004 press releases

Ambassador Feltman's Statement After Meeting Prime Minister Rafic Hariri

October 20, 2004

Prime Minister Hariri confirmed to me that he has submitted his resignation to the President. I understand that this resignation triggers a round of consultations. Let me explain a bit about what the United States and its international partners would like to see emerge from what we very much hope is a Lebanese process of consultations. Our hopes for Lebanon are, of course, directly related to UNSCR 1559 and to the Presidential Statement that the Security Council issued yesterday.

We and our international partners want to see a prosperous Lebanon that is moving ahead economically, politically and socially. We want to see a Lebanon that provides a promising future for its young people, with a democratic government that the Lebanese people can be proud of. We hope to see a Lebanon that has positive and constructive diplomatic relations with its neighbors, but relations based on principles of mutual respect and non-intervention in the domestic affairs of others. We want to see a growing Lebanese economy, benefiting all of the Lebanese people and rooted in reforms, rule of law, and transparency.

Thus the Lebanese Government that emerges from this consultative process should be composed of strong individuals who have credibility and integrity, who are willing to exercise freedom of action, and who share a positive vision about Lebanon's future. The new government should be able to take decisions free of foreign interference. The United States and its international partners want to see a Lebanese Government that can address the needs of Lebanon, and a government that is truly representative of the will of the Lebanese people. The new Lebanese Government should be built on, and strengthen, Lebanon's vibrant democratic traditions.

That is what UNSCR 1559 is about - it's about building the future for Lebanon that Lebanon's people so deserve and want. We hope that the current government consultations will result in the type of credible, democratic, visionary Lebanese government that can move Lebanon forward. I assure you that a government that can move Lebanon in that direction, according to the needs and will of the Lebanese people, will have the full support of the United States and its international partners. Thank you.