URGING SUPPORT FOR LEBANON: OMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001337 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER MASS EAID LE MU SUBJECT: URGING SUPPORT FOR LEBANON: OMAN REF: A. STATE 148157 ¶B. STATE 147838 ¶C. MUSCAT 1327 ¶D. MUSCAT 1268 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo for Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ chief delivered ref A and B demarches September 11 to Humaid Maani, Deputy Director of the Office of MFA Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi. Echoing earlier comments to the Ambassador by Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusef bin Alawi (ref C),Maani responded that Oman fully supported the implementation of UNSCR 1701, including the prevention of illicit arms shipments to Lebanon. He added that Oman welcomed action by Israel to lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon. ¶2. (C) Regarding possible assistance for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF),Maani said that he would highlight the request for Oman to help purchase electrical generators for the LAF (ref B) to U/S Busaidi and Minister Alawi, and that Oman would continue its discussions with the Lebanese government on security and reconstruction assistance. He expressed lingering Omani concerns on the possible misuse of monetary donations due to perceived corruption in Lebanon (ref D). GRAPPO