URGENT: REQUEST FOR AMBASSADOR'S ASSESSMENT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 000657 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, AND EUR/PGI E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2017 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC LE SUBJECT: URGENT: REQUEST FOR AMBASSADOR'S ASSESSMENT ON UNHRC ELECTION REF: STATE 63345 Classified By: Jeffrey Feltman, Ambassador. Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) As of May 10, it appears that Lebanon has not yet determined whether it will support the candidacies of Slovenia and Bosnia, and refrain from support for Belarus, at the May 17 elections for new members of the UN Human Rights Council. The Ambassador met on May 10 with Prime Minister Siniora's senior advisor Mohamad Chatah to raise points reftel. Chatah observed that there is a special relationship between Lebanese President Emile Lahoud (who is at odds with Prime Minister Siniora) and Lukashenko of Belarus. Chatah commented that this relationship gives the GOL, under Siniora's direction, an added incentive not to support Belarus' bid for the UNHRC. Chatah promised to raise this issue with the Prime Minister, implying that the PM would not want to do any favors for President Lahoud. ¶2. (C) DCM also raised on May 10 reftel points with Lebanese MFA Director for International Organizations Ambassador Antoine Chedid, who was familiar with the issues. Chedid said that Lebanon, "is still figuring out what to do and there is no final position as of now." He suggested that there is, as usual, pressure for Lebanon to adhere to whatever collective position the Arab League countries may take. Chedid said that he personally is not in favor of electing Belarus to the UNHRC, and he was sympathetic to the arguments against Belarus set forth reftel. He gave no assurance, or even a hint, however, that Lebanon would not support Belarus if an Arab League consensus position evolves in favor of Belarus. Chedid said he hoped that the GOL would arrive at its decision early next week, and if so, he assured us that he would get back in touch. FELTMAN