2007 speeches

Statement by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey D. Feltman After Meeting with Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri

February 2, 2007

I appreciate the opportunity to meet with Speaker Berri this morning to exchange views on the current situation in Lebanon. I reiterated the support of the United States for the Lebanese people and for a democratic Lebanon, in which the Lebanese people can resolve their differences peacefully and democratically. My meeting with the Speaker is one of a number of calls I am making on Lebanese from across the political spectrum.

The United States is a steadfast friend of Lebanon and the Lebanese people. Like other members of the international community, we hope the Lebanese people will choose dialogue over violence to move forward. And while the United States stands ready to assist the Lebanese people in achieving their vision of a stable, prosperous and democratic Lebanon, it has no intention of usurping the right of the Lebanese people to determine their own future for themselves. The United States strongly supports Arab and international initiatives to encourage peaceful resolution of Lebanon's political problems, but we also believe that the foundation for solutions must begin with wise choices of the Lebanese people make for themselves. For example, we believe that the Lebanese have a responsibility to talk and listen to each other directly, not simply through the media.

In this respect, I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Speaker Berri today. Lebanon’s democratically elected Parliament—a “Made in Lebanon” legislature—offers all of Lebanon’s communities and political parties a voice in shaping their country’s future. And it is Lebanon's democratically elected Parliament alone that retains the constitutional right to offer and reject a vote of confidence in Lebanon's government.

I reminded Speaker Berri of the significance of his leadership in bringing together, last year, representatives to the table for a national dialogue. In parallel with debate in the Parliament and discussions in the cabinet, this dialogue produced consensus on a number of issues critical to the establishment of a stable and sovereign Lebanon. In my meeting this morning, I encouraged the Speaker to use his influence and leadership, once again, to persuade the Lebanese people to return to dialogue and discussion.

I assured Speaker Berri that the United States, like other friends of Lebanon, is ready to do whatever it can to support a process by which the Lebanese themselves are freely able, without intimidation or outside interference, to exercise their own responsibility for Lebanon's future. As tangible proof, I cited the pledges by the United States of more than a billion U.S. dollars to assist Lebanon announced at the Stockholm and Paris III conferences. The role of the Speaker and the Parliament is essential in ensuring that all Lebanese benefit from this international support.

I am proud of the assistance the United States is offering Lebanon. The American people feel strongly that the United States must support a democratic Lebanon in which the Lebanese can achieve their dreams for a better tomorrow – a stable and secure future with economic prosperity and educational opportunity, and with the prospect of a better life.