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