Speeches

Statement After Meeting with His Excellency Minister of Foreign Affairs Fawzi Salloukh

Feb. 21, 2006

His Excellency Minister Salloukh and I discussed a broad range of issues that concern our two countries. I assured His Excellency the Minister that, as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, the United States supports fully the dialogue between the Government of Lebanon and the United Nations following up UN Security Council Resolution 1644. My Government welcomes the decision of the Lebanese cabinet to send a judicial delegation this week to UN headquarters to discuss a tribunal with international character. While this of course will be a UN-Lebanese consultation, we stand ready to offer assistance or advice, if desired by the two parties.

I also assured His Excellency Minister Salloukh that the United States remains committed to supporting a comprehensive and credible reform program in Lebanon. Along with Lebanon's other friends in the international community, we look forward to working with Prime Minister Siniora, Minister Salloukh and their cabinet colleagues in organizing a conference to support the reform program, at a time that the Lebanese believe is appropriate.