U.S. Hails National Dialogue, Urges Lebanese Foes to ‘Engage Constructively’

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

The United States welcomed on Monday all efforts exerted by Lebanese leaders to strengthen the national unity and stability in the country.

“We encourage the participants in the national dialogue to engage constructively,” the U.S. embassy said via twitter.

It stressed that the U.S. is committed to promoting Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty and independence.

President Michel Suleiman headed all-party talks at the Baabda palace between Lebanese foes to restore calm in Lebanon after several security incidents in the country.

However, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea refused to attend the national dialogue as he considered it “useless.”

Comments 5
Thumb extramildcake 11 June 2012, 13:30

What are you doing here, US? Those Afghan children aren't going to drone-strike themselves!

Thumb beiruti 11 June 2012, 15:26

Yep, these are the same people who are hoping that Assad will see the light and give up; that Russia will suddenly drop its national interest of interjecting itself into the Middle East by dropping its veto in the UNSC; that Netanyahu will see the virtue of a Palestinian state; that Iran will give up its nuclear ambitions if we just squeeze hard enough; that the Great Pumpkin will arive on Halloween....

Default-user-icon Elie (Guest) 11 June 2012, 15:46

I guess this is a good sign that we can visit Lebanon this summer. Thanks US embassy.

Default-user-icon Evolve (Guest) 11 June 2012, 19:13

Will the national dialog be followed by rational and measurable action that finally breaks the status quo and moves the country in the right direction (unity in forming a modern state)?

Thumb beiruti 12 June 2012, 18:49

@rudes, sarcastic, of course!! US diplomacy in this matter is rather feckless. Diplomacy without the credible threat of force of arms to enforce the positions sought to be adopted is just talk in the Middle East. No one there respects talk that is not backed by force, or at least the credible threat to us it. In this election year when Obama's calling card is that he ended two middle eastern wars, he is not interested in getting invovled in a third, even if US interests are at stake. So we get these bromides from the Obama Administration that the regional players have figured out a long time ago will not be enforced.
I am in government and make decisions daily and can tell you that no decision should ever be taken that you are not ready, willing and able to enforce. Otherwise, you lose credibility as does your office.