I want to begin by thanking Minister of Economy and Trade Sami Haddad, Minister of Finance Jihad Azour, and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant, Ambassador Mohammad Chatah— and the Lebanese people—for welcoming me to Lebanon. I have been looking forward to this trip since I met with Prime Minister Siniora in Stockholm, during the Donors’ Conference for Lebanon’s Early Recovery. At that conference, the United States urged donors to ensure that our pledges amounted to more than just words. In this visit, I had the opportunity to see that our early commitment has indeed translated into immediate action.

I have been deeply encouraged by Lebanon’s commitment to rapid recovery and economic growth and would like to reassure the Lebanese people that the American people are completely behind you. Yesterday I visited Byblos and saw first-hand that, working in partnership with the Government of Lebanon, we are making progress in cleaning up the oil spill along the cost and improving the livelihoods of the communities who live there. Through other projects I have visited, the U.S. Government is supporting Lebanon’s efforts to strengthen the economy by addressing job creation and income generation in rural areas. I met local farmers using a jointly-supported agricultural center to improve upon their products and market them not only locally in Lebanon, but globally. Our partnership has provided these farmers an opportunity to compete in a marketplace inaccessible not too long ago.

I also visited beneficiaries of our microfinance program. With these programs, we hare helping Lebanese entrepreneurs realize their economic aspirations. In doing so, we are partnering with the Lebanese people to expand economic opportunities for all in a way that is sustainable and supportive of the entrepreneurial spirit of the Lebanese people.

The $230 million committed by President Bush in August have a very clear and important purpose—to help the Lebanese people rebuild their lives and communities after this summer’s tragic conflict. I’m pleased that $90 million has already been disbursed to meet basic humanitarian needs and to assist the Lebanese people in the early stages of recovery. In addition to supporting the clean-up effort vital to getting Lebanon’s tourism industry back on track, these funds have provided new playgrounds for children in the south, cash for students harvesting apples in the north, and support for fishermen and their families along the coast. Later today, I will tour some of the damaged infrastructure—such as the Mudairej Bridge—the United States will help rebuild as reconstruction efforts continue.

The strong commitment of the United States to the people of Lebanon is embodied in the partnership between the governments of our two diverse and democratic countries. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss with Ministers Haddad and Azour and Ambassador Chatah their views on how our governments might best partner in support of the Lebanese people.

After all, supporting the mutual aspirations of people around the world for lasting peace and prosperity is precisely what U.S. foreign assistance is all about.

Again, I thank the Ministers, Ambassador Chatah, and the people of Lebanon for their hospitality. The United States looks forward to working in partnership with them as they realize their vision of a peaceful and prosperous Lebanon with opportunities for all its citizens.