Readout of the President's Meeting with Prime Minister Hariri of Lebanon

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 12, 2011

President Obama met today with Prime Minister Saad Hariri of Lebanon.  The President commended the Prime Minister for his steadfast leadership and efforts to reach peace, stability, and consensus in Lebanon under difficult circumstances.  The efforts by the Hizballah-led coalition to collapse the Lebanese government only demonstrate their own fear and determination to block the government's ability to conduct its business and advance the aspirations of all of the Lebanese people. The President and Prime Minister reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Lebanon's sovereignty and independence, implementing all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and continuing a wide-ranging and long-term partnership between the United States and Lebanon.
 
During their meeting, the President stressed the importance of the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon as a means to help end the era of political assassinations with impunity in Lebanon.  The President and Prime Minister specifically discussed united efforts with France, Saudi Arabia, and other key international and regional actors to maintain calm in Lebanon and ensure that the work of the Tribunal continues unimpeded by third parties.  The President and Prime Minister expressed their determination to achieve both stability and justice in Lebanon during this challenging period of government volatility, and agreed that all parties should avoid threats or actions that could cause instability

Statement by the Press Secretary on President Obama meeting with the Prime Minister of Lebanon

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 11, 2011
Tomorrow, President Obama will meet with Prime Minister Saad Hariri of Lebanon to discuss U.S. support for Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, and stability, the ongoing work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and other regional issues. Lebanon is an important partner in U.S. efforts to promote peace, stability, and justice in the Middle East.
 

PRESIDENT OBAMA STL REMARK AFTER BILATERAL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT SARKOZY OF FRANCE.

EXCERPTS,
P. Obama: "We'll also finally be discussing Lebanon where I think we are all deeply concerned with the special tribunal there and making sure that justice is appropriately served". 

Readout of the Secretary-General''s meeting with Prime Minister Saad Hariri of Lebanon

New York, 9 January 2011. The Secretary-General met with the Prime Minister of Lebanon early this evening. They had a cordial and constructive meeting. The Secretary-General commended the Prime Minister for his leadership of Lebanon at a critical time. On the Special Tribunal, the Secretary-General reiterated his support for the work of the Tribunal, and stressed that it is an independent body. He hoped its work would help end impunity in Lebanon. They also discussed regional and other efforts to promote stability. The two discussed a number of aspects of Security Council Resolution 1701, including the need to end Israeli air violations. The Secretary-General stressed the importance of both parties working for the full implementation of the resolution, and the good work being done by UNIFIL. He took note of the Lebanese concerns on the maritime boundary issues.

Other issues under discussion included the Middle East peace process, and the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative in the search for a resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Clinton Backs Lebanon Tribunal In Hariri Meeting

January 7, 2011 NEW YORK (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced support for a U.N.-backed tribunal probing the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri when she met his son, who is Lebanon's current premier, on Friday.

 

The government of Saad al-Hariri has been paralyzed for months by political tension over the investigation into the 2005 bombing that killed his father, a powerful Sunni Muslim politician.

 

Diplomats expect members of the Shi'ite militant group Hezbollah, which has ministers in Hariri's Cabinet, to be named in draft indictments that are likely to be sent to the pretrial judge at the Hague-based tribunal this month.

 

Hezbollah has denied any involvement in Rafik al-Hariri's killing. It has dismissed the five-year investigation into the bombing as politicized and urged Saad al-Hariri to denounce the tribunal -- a demand he has so far resisted.

 

A source present at the half-hour meeting between Hariri and Clinton at a New York hotel said that "Secretary Clinton very clearly expressed her support for the Hariri tribunal." Asked if the Lebanese premier also supported it, the source said, "That goes without saying."

 

The source said Clinton also expressed strong support for the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon, a phrase often used to imply criticism of attempts by neighboring Syria to exert control over Lebanese affairs.

 

Clinton herself made no comment to reporters other than to praise her meeting with Hariri as "excellent."

 

Immediately before meeting the Lebanese leader, Clinton held a 45-minute meeting in an adjacent hotel with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who had back surgery in New York last month.

 

No details of their talks were available, but Saudi Arabia and Syria, which have traditionally backed rival camps in Lebanon, have worked since July on proposals to try to ease tension over the tribunal.

 

Hariri was quoted on Friday as saying the joint Saudi and Syrian proposals do not include changes to his fragile unity government.

 

"Anyone who thinks that a government other than a national unity government can revive this country needs to think again," he told the pan-Arab newspaper al-Hayat.

January 5, 2011 Interview given by Michèle Alliot-Marie, Ministre d’Etat, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, to the “20 Minutes” newspaper .

Excerpts: LEBANON/STL INDICTMENT

Q. – In Lebanon, what is Paris's position on the indictment by Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), which could target members of Hezbollah?

THE MINISTER – The STL was formed through international political will and no one can do away with it or prevent it from working.

Q. – At the risk of causing a civil war?

THE MINISTER – What's important – and this is Saad Hariri's concern – is to preserve Lebanon's unity. Even so, the STL must be able to do its job.

Q. – But is it still possible?

THE MINISTER – Yes, I think so. Hezbollah has elected representatives in the institutions, which proves the institutions are functioning. If individuals are brought before the STL, it will be as individuals and not as representatives of a party or community. (…)./.

Dec 5 2010 Interview given by Michèle Alliot-Marie, {Ministre d’Etat}, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, to the “Le Monde” newspaper.

Excerpts: LEBANON/STL INDICTMENT

Q. – The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is preparing to present its bills of indictment. You recently held a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Is the priority the functioning of the tribunal or, as Saudi Arabia seems to think, the stability of Lebanon?
THE MINISTER – Threats are made by some in Lebanon, in particular Hezbollah. We must remember one thing: the tribunal was created by the international community. Nobody can stop it. It's independent and must function. That is France's position. We also think Lebanon's unity must be preserved and her institutions strengthened. The tribunal's work and the fact of being able to say individuals are responsible – and not a whole community – must enable that unity to be strengthened on solid foundations.