MINISTER DELEGATE DISCUSSES LEBANON AFTER UNSC 1701

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001564 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2011 TAGS: PGOV PREL IS LE MO SUBJECT: MINISTER DELEGATE DISCUSSES LEBANON AFTER UNSC 1701 Classified By: Ambassador Thomas T. Riley reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) On August 16, both Arabic and French language newspapers said that the Lebanese government announced that Turkey, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Malaysia and Morocco would be sending troops. On August 17, Foreign Minister Benaissa was quoted in the French-language newspapers as saying: "The deployment of UNIFIL requires that all political conditions be in place and that the operational dispositions for its new mission be clarified. On August 14, according to the same reports, a "senior" official had notified Lebanon that Morocco was prepared "in principle" to contribute troops. ¶2. (C) During an August 16 meeting on other topics, Ambassador asked Taieb Fassi Fihri, Minister Delegate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about the press report saying that Morocco would contribute troops to a reinforced UNIFIL at the end of the meeting. In response, Fassi Fihri said there was a statement from the king and GOM officials stating the Moroccan position, i.e., the one published August 17. He emphasized willingness to participate but that the GOM needs more information before a commitment can be made. ¶3. (C) According to Fassi Fihri, the GOM supports Lebanon's freedom, independence and territorial integrity. Regarding the events of the last month, Fassi Fihri said that hostilities must cease, the cease-fire must be in effect, the Israelis must withdraw and there must be support for the Taif accords and the relevant UNSC resolutions, including 1701. Morocco attended a Peace-Keeping Operations meeting at the UN early in the week of August 14 and is intending to attend one on August 17. Fassi Fihri emphasized that Morocco does not think the mandate for an expanded UNIFIL force is clear and it thinks the situation regarding the Hizballah is uncertain. Because Hizballah has said that it has no intention of leaving southern Lebanon or disarming, the GOM cannot be sure the situation is stable, according to Fassi Fihri. Fassi Fihri noted that "south Lebanon" is ill-defined: "What is the 'south Lebanon' they are referring to?" ¶4. (C) In Fassi Fihri's opinion, Bashar al-Asad's August 15 speech only adds to the lack of clarity about the situation. The speech, he thinks, raises questions about Syria's intentions. "Morocco does not know how to manage Damascus." Fassi Fihri listed what he perceives as having happened in the region: Nasrallah and Asad are declaring victory over the Israelis. Hizballah's standing in the region is on the increase, particularly as Nasrallah is offering to pay for the damages to people's homes and businesses. With Moroccan public opinion being strong and in support of Hizballah, Fassi Fihri said "we are having to manage public opinion." ¶5. (C) Fassi Fihri affirmed that security needs to be provided for the people of Israel, but also said that the Israeli government needs to cease taking unilateral actions of the kind it took in Lebanon over the past month. He also said that the Sheba'a Farms issue needs to be resolved, supporting what PM Siniora has said. While Fassi Fihri gave the distinct impression that the GOM is disposed to help Lebanon and UNIFIL, it is also clear that a final decision will not be made until the situation is evaluated more. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** RILEY