(No. 19 – January 13, 2011 – 5:45 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement concerning the resignation of 11 members of Lebanon's cabinet and the resulting dissolution of the country's government:
"Despite the cabinet resignations announced yesterday, Canada continues to support a strong, independent Lebanon and the leadership of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. The people of Lebanon deserve a stable government. These resignations are an attempt to subvert a safe and secure Lebanon and cannot be tolerated.
"We urge the parties involved to work toward a solution in order to address the numerous challenges facing the Lebanese people. We also urge all political factions to exercise restraint at this time of political uncertainty. Hezbollah's actions in bringing down the government are a clear attempt to undermine the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Canada believes that the work of the Special Tribunal should go forward so that justice can be served."
Friday, January 14, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
UN CHIEF CLOSELY FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS IN LEBANON, URGES CALM AND DIALOGUE
New York, Jan 12 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is closely monitoring developments in Lebanon and has emphasized the importance of preserving calm there, his spokesperson said today.
"The Secretary-General further calls for continuing dialogue among all parties and respect for the constitution and the laws of Lebanon," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the UN chief also reiterates his full support for the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).
According to press reports, Lebanon's government of national unity collapsed on Wednesday following the resignation from cabinet of 11 ministers from Hizbollah from and allied groups. Reports claim that the 11 resigned after months of negotiations brokered by Saudi Arabia and Syria failed to produce a compromise over the Special Tribunal, which is examining the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
The situation in Lebanon has been marked by rising tensions in recent months, a situation described by the Secretary-General in a report issued in October as a "domestic climate of uncertainty and fragility."
The Special Tribunal is an independent body that was set up following a probe by the International Independent Investigation Commission after an earlier UN mission found that Lebanon's own inquiry into the massive car bombing that killed Rafik Hariri and 22 other people was seriously flawed.
Last Sunday, Mr. Ban reiterated his support for the Tribunal's work in a meeting in New York with the slain leader's son and current Lebanese prime minister, Saad Hariri. During the meeting, Mr. Ban stressed the independence of the Special Tribunal and hoped its work would help end impunity in the country.
Lebanon was also one of the topics the Secretary-General discussed with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in New York on Tuesday. At that meeting, Mr. Ban also expressed his appreciation for Saudi Arabia's efforts to support stability in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas, today met with senior officials from the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces at the UN position at the border crossing at Ras Al Naqoura.
They discussed the implementation of resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbollah, the issue of the village of Ghajar, which straddles the so-called Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon, and other matters related to the situation along the Blue Line.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is closely monitoring developments in Lebanon and has emphasized the importance of preserving calm there, his spokesperson said today.
"The Secretary-General further calls for continuing dialogue among all parties and respect for the constitution and the laws of Lebanon," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the UN chief also reiterates his full support for the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).
According to press reports, Lebanon's government of national unity collapsed on Wednesday following the resignation from cabinet of 11 ministers from Hizbollah from and allied groups. Reports claim that the 11 resigned after months of negotiations brokered by Saudi Arabia and Syria failed to produce a compromise over the Special Tribunal, which is examining the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
The situation in Lebanon has been marked by rising tensions in recent months, a situation described by the Secretary-General in a report issued in October as a "domestic climate of uncertainty and fragility."
The Special Tribunal is an independent body that was set up following a probe by the International Independent Investigation Commission after an earlier UN mission found that Lebanon's own inquiry into the massive car bombing that killed Rafik Hariri and 22 other people was seriously flawed.
Last Sunday, Mr. Ban reiterated his support for the Tribunal's work in a meeting in New York with the slain leader's son and current Lebanese prime minister, Saad Hariri. During the meeting, Mr. Ban stressed the independence of the Special Tribunal and hoped its work would help end impunity in the country.
Lebanon was also one of the topics the Secretary-General discussed with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in New York on Tuesday. At that meeting, Mr. Ban also expressed his appreciation for Saudi Arabia's efforts to support stability in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas, today met with senior officials from the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces at the UN position at the border crossing at Ras Al Naqoura.
They discussed the implementation of resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbollah, the issue of the village of Ghajar, which straddles the so-called Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon, and other matters related to the situation along the Blue Line.
Readout of the President's Meeting with Prime Minister Hariri of Lebanon
The White House
Office of the Press SecretaryFor Immediate Release
January 12, 2011
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
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
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.
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".
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".
Monday, January 10, 2011
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.
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