Statement by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly After Meeting with MP Michel Aoun

January 14, 2011
I met with General Aoun this morning.  We had a discussion of recent political developments in Lebanon and the overall situation in the country.
The United States calls on all political factions to remain calm and exercise restraint at this critical time.   We urge all the parties in Lebanon to work together to find a solution for the numerous issues in front of the Lebanese people.   It is now more important than ever that all sides commit to constructive dialogue and avoid escalating tensions in the country.
In light of recent events, it is important to make clear that the United States' commitments to Lebanon have not and will not change.  We will continue to work with Prime Minister Hariri as head of Lebanon's caretaker government on all of the issues of vital importance in the U.S.-Lebanese bilateral relationship.  The United States continues to support the Special Tribunal for Lebanon as the Lebanese people's best hope for putting its tragic and bloody history of political violence behind it.   As the United States and the international community have said from the beginning, the STL is an irrevocable, international judicial process; its work is not a matter of politics but of law.  The resignation of some of Lebanon's ministers will not change this.
Similarly, the United States remains steadfast in its support for Lebanon's state institutions through our robust military, security, and economic development assistance.  The United States provides support to institutions, like the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Internal Security Forces, and numerous civilian ministries, that operate under the constitutional authorities of the Lebanese state.  We believe that our support for these institutions is critical to a sovereign and independent Lebanon.  We expect a new government will emerge through constitutional procedures, and our strong partnership with Lebanon will endure.