Poll: Majority of Lebanese Don't Support U.S. but Back its Fight against IS
Countries across the world have a favorable view of the U.S. while 60 percent of Lebanese express an unfavorable view, according to a Pew Research Center report.
The U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Islamic State group fighters also drew 62 percent support worldwide. Among the supporters are 78 percent of the Lebanese population.
But the U.S. scored less favorably when people were questioned about what Pew called "the harsh interrogation methods used against suspected terrorists in the wake of 9/11 that many consider torture.”
Fifty percent of Lebanese said the methods were unjustified, compared to 58 percent of respondents in the U.S. who felt the acts were warranted.
Pew said Tuesday that although many around the world take a grim view of the harsh interrogation policy America pursued in the wake of the September 11 attacks, the U.S. continues to receive strong marks for respecting the individual liberties of its own citizens.
The survey said 81 percent of Lebanese believe that the U.S. respects the personal freedoms of its people, but only 36 percent said they have confidence in U.S. President Barack Obama's ability to do the right thing regarding world affairs.
People in 40 countries were included in the study.
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