(C) THREATS TO LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER OF SERIOUS

S E C R E T CAIRO 006461

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARAGRAPH MARKINGS)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MEPN UNSC EG LE SY
SUBJECT: (C) THREATS TO LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER OF SERIOUS
CONCERN TO EGYPT

REF: STATE 172274 (NOTAL)

Classified by Minister Counselor for Economic and Political
Affairs William R. Stewart for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S) During an October 17 meeting with MFA Cabinet Advisor
for Syrian and Lebanese Affairs, Nazih Al Negeiry, poloff
raised reftel demarche points on Syrian-originated threats
against Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora. Negeiry was
familiar with the topic, referring to Egyptian embassy
reporting and press reports from Beirut. He said the U.S.
demarche was "consistent with what we are hearing" from
regional reporting. Offering to circulate the USG message
internally, Negeiry said Egypt was seriously concerned by the
heightened tensions and reports of impending attacks.
Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Soliman, he noted,
discussed the issue during his recent visit to Damascus.


2. (S) Shifting to U.S.-Syria relations, Negeiry said
Egypt's Damascus mission had recently reported rumors that
Washington was looking at ways to improve relations with
Damascus. Negeiry argued that Washington needed to give
Syria "something meaningful" on the Golan or Lebanon before
the SARG would end its cooperation with Tehran or its
problem-making among Palestinians. Referring to recent
rocket attacks in Beirut near the PM's and UN offices,
Negeiry said the attacks were warnings to Seniora and the UN
not to further challenge Syrian interests in Lebanon. Based
on conversations with Lebanese politicians, he added, a
decision by the GOL and UNIIIC to pursue the specific charge
of "crimes against humanity" in the upcoming Hariri-murder
tribunal would motivate Syria and its proxies in Lebanon to
seek violent retribution against Seniora and his March 14
allies.
JONES