SHEIKH KHALIFA EXPRESSES "KEEN SUPPORT" FOR LEBANESE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 001656 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ELA AND NEA/ARP E.O. 12958 DECL: 10/02/2017 TAGS: PREL EAD LE AE SUBJECT: SHEIKH KHALIFA EXPRESSES "KEEN SUPPORT" FOR LEBANESE STABILIZATION REF: (A) ABU DHABI 857 (B) ABU DHABI 876 (C) 06 ABU DHABI 4263 (D) 06 ABU DHABI 4239 (E) 06 ABU DHABI 4213 (F) ABU DHABI 324 Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) On October 1 Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora met with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss UAE support for Lebanon's stabilization, reconstruction, and security. Siniora's visit is part of a regional tour with a first stop in the UAE. Among topics discussed was the UAE's ongoing assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). Siniora also met (separately) with Vice President and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Minister of Higher Education Sheikh Nahyan. ¶2. (C) According to Yousef Al Otaiba, International Affairs Director for Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, Siniora briefed his UAE hosts on the LAF's recent success at Nahr Al Bared in vanquishing Fatah Al Islam. Siniora thanked the UAE for its support for LAF and Lebanese police and provided an update on the situation at the camp. A major reason for PM Sinoria's visit to the UAE was to thank the UAE for its assistance to the Lebanese security services and budget support. The UAE has provided Lebanon with considerable security-related support and has been in frequent contact with the GoL to identify needs and requirements. In late 2006, the UAE provided UAE internal security forces with several hundred vehicles, computers and related equipment, pistols and ammunition, body armor, and anti-riot gear among other items. The Emiratis also worked with Lebanese officials to identify requirements for the Lebanese Armed Forces. The UAE pledged USD 300 million in soft loans to Lebanon at the January 2007 Paris Conference. UAE medical aid to Lebanon reached USD 6.8 million in 2006-2007. The UAE has also provided over USD 5 million in support to residents of the Nahr Al Bared Palestinian refugee camp. ¶3. (SBU) According to press reports, PM Siniora also briefed Sheikh Khalifa on the current political situation in Lebanon, the importance of strengthening Lebanon's constitutional institutions given current constitutional deadlines, and multilateral efforts to create a climate of stability in Lebanon in which reconstruction efforts could flourish. ¶4. (SBU) Officials present at the meeting with Khalifa were: Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais. Others present included: Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs Ahmed Juma'a Al Za'abi; UAE Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammed Sultan Saif Al Suwaidi; and Lebanese Ambassador to the UAE Fawzi Youssef Fawwaz. SISON