Hale Meets Mashnouq: Officials Should Put Lebanon's Stability ahead of Partisan Politics
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale lamented on Friday the ongoing delay in the election of a new president, urging the Lebanese factions to set aside their interests in favor of national ones.
He said after holding talks with Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq: “There is no reason for delay and it is time to put Lebanon’s stability ahead of partisan politics.”
“Disputes over the election of a president have brought the normal functioning of government to a standstill,” he remarked.
“Yet, this is a time when all elements of the state should be working in unison to address these and other problems, in accordance with the Constitution and the National Pact.”
“There should be no expectation of foreign deals to choose a president,” he stressed.
“Instead of looking outside Lebanon for answers, we urge Lebanon’s leaders to respect their own Constitution and elect their own president, on their own,” Hale urged.
Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.
Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.
Addressing the security situation in Lebanon, Hale noted: “Lebanon is facing serious challenges and threats, and we need to be sober about them. The spillover of terrorism and extremism from Syria is not over.”
“The harm to Lebanese stability caused by Hizbullah's violation of the policy of dissociation continues. Hizbullah's readiness to violate international norms and U.N. Security Council resolutions was made self-evident in January,” he said in reference to the party's attack against an Israeli convoy in the occupied Shebaa Farms.
“Hizbullah continues to make life and death decisions for all of Lebanon, yet consults no one, is accountable to no Lebanese, and answers to foreign powers,” he said.
Hale also highlighted the difficulties brought upon Lebanon by the presence of so many refugees from Syria.
“While the United States has contributed $660 million to date to help Lebanon cope with the humanitarian needs of the refugees and Lebanon’s host communities, we know the stress is enormous. Economic trends in the country have been downward since the presidency fell vacant,” he continued.
“Meanwhile, as you face these security challenges arising from Syria, it is important to look at Lebanon’s sources of strength,” he stated.
“First, the army and security services have the will and commitment to defend Lebanon, and are doing so with courage,” Hale remarked.
“Second, the Lebanese nation is united behind the effort to counter violent extremism,” he said.
“Third, you are not alone. You can count on continuous and meaningful support from the United States and others to ensure that the army has the means to fight,” he added.
“Fourth, our common values distinguish us from these barbaric extremists. Our values are stronger than the false appeal from the extremists, and therefore we will prevail,” he stressed after meeting Mashnouq.
“And finally, the international community may have differences elsewhere in the region, but it is united in its desire to help Lebanon insulate itself from these external threats and conflicts,” the ambassador remarked.
“Tackling the threats will not be easy, but I am confident that, together, we will succeed,” he declared.
The army has engaged in recent months in sporadic clashes with extremist groups entrenched along Lebanon's eastern border with Syria.
In August, Islamic State and al-Nusra Front groups overran the northeastern border town of Arsal where they fought battles with the army.
They withdrew after a brief battle, but kidnapped with them a number of servicemen.
A few have since been released, four were executed, while the rest are still held.
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