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