Report: 'Confidential' U.S. Cable ‘Bans’ Lebanon Role in Syria Reconstruction
The Lebanese embassy in Washington has reportedly sent a “confidential” cable to Beirut containing the United States' positions, which “rejects” Syria’s invitation to Beirut’s economic summit, and “threatens of imposing sanctions against Lebanon” shall it participates in the reconstruction of Syria, al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.
The newspaper said it was able to obtain a copy of the cable without saying how.
The letter reportedly urges “Lebanon and all members states of the Arab League to refrain from inviting Syria to the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, or AESD.”
It also “urged Lebanon to refrain from taking any steps that contribute to securing financial resources for the Syrian regime, for example, making investments or sending funds for reconstruction. Any financial or material support for the Assad regime or its supporters may be subject to American sanctions.”
On the other hand, a Lebanese Foreign Ministry official told al-Akhbar on condition of anonymity, that not inviting Syria to the summit is not an American decision, “this is an Arab issue and the United States has no interest in it.”
An Arab economic development summit that Lebanon is hosting this weekend has been marred by controversy days before delegates arrive.
The question of whether to invite Syria, whose membership in the Arab League was suspended in 2011, quickly became an issue.
Pro-Syrian groups led by Hizbullah have insisted that the Syrian government should be invited.
Source: Naharnet
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