Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIRUT874
2007-06-15 15:09:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
LEBANON: PREVENTING IRAN-SYRIA ARMS SHIPMENTS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHLB #0874 1661509 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 151509Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8520 INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN IMMEDIATE 4263 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA IMMEDIATE 3527 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 0057 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO IMMEDIATE 1205 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS IMMEDIATE 3606 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH IMMEDIATE 3384 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV IMMEDIATE 1253
S E C R E T BEIRUT 000874
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2017
TAGS: PARM PREL MOPS ETTC PGOV SY IR LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: PREVENTING IRAN-SYRIA ARMS SHIPMENTS
REF: A. STATE 080525
B. STATE 77808
Classified By: DCM William Grant for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T BEIRUT 000874
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2017
TAGS: PARM PREL MOPS ETTC PGOV SY IR LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: PREVENTING IRAN-SYRIA ARMS SHIPMENTS
REF: A. STATE 080525
B. STATE 77808
Classified By: DCM William Grant for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) The Ambassador on June 13 and 14 delivered Ref B
demarche to Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Tariq Mitri,
Minister of Defense Elias Murr, and Minister of
Transportation Mohammed Safadi. In addition, the DATT
demarched Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General
Michel Sleiman on June 13. We are confident GOL officials
have taken note of the threat of Iranian-Syrian arms arriving
by plane and are prepared to watch for suspicious AIR
activities.
2. (S) Mitri was unaware of the issue or the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs' (MFA) authority to approve the overflight or
landing of most commercial or military flights, but took the
Ambassador's demarche seriously. Murr also took the demarche
seriously, but asserted that the Ministry of Defense (MOD)
has no authority to approve or deny overflight clearances
unless the planes are carrying military aid for the LAF.
Slieman said that the MOD and the cabinet are notified only
when there is an overflight request involving a plane
carrying military assistance to the LAF or hazardous
materials, otherwise the MFA approves all overflights and
landings. Sleiman also told us that no Syrian planes are
scheduled to land in or overfly Lebanese territory in the
near future. Finally, Safadi explained that the Ministry of
Transportation does not have the authority to authorize or
deny overflight for aircraft.
3. (S) Generally, Lebanon's MFA gives preliminary acceptances
to all foreign overflight requests, then refers eligible
military assistance or hazardous materials flight requests to
the cabinet. Prime Minister Siniora gives temporary
approval, and asks the cabinet to formally approve the flight
post-facto at its next meeting. (Note: This was apparently
the case for our recent ammunition deliveries. End Note.)
Foreign planes must also register their flight plans with the
civil aviation authority.
FELTMAN
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2017
TAGS: PARM PREL MOPS ETTC PGOV SY IR LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: PREVENTING IRAN-SYRIA ARMS SHIPMENTS
REF: A. STATE 080525
B. STATE 77808
Classified By: DCM William Grant for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) The Ambassador on June 13 and 14 delivered Ref B
demarche to Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Tariq Mitri,
Minister of Defense Elias Murr, and Minister of
Transportation Mohammed Safadi. In addition, the DATT
demarched Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General
Michel Sleiman on June 13. We are confident GOL officials
have taken note of the threat of Iranian-Syrian arms arriving
by plane and are prepared to watch for suspicious AIR
activities.
2. (S) Mitri was unaware of the issue or the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs' (MFA) authority to approve the overflight or
landing of most commercial or military flights, but took the
Ambassador's demarche seriously. Murr also took the demarche
seriously, but asserted that the Ministry of Defense (MOD)
has no authority to approve or deny overflight clearances
unless the planes are carrying military aid for the LAF.
Slieman said that the MOD and the cabinet are notified only
when there is an overflight request involving a plane
carrying military assistance to the LAF or hazardous
materials, otherwise the MFA approves all overflights and
landings. Sleiman also told us that no Syrian planes are
scheduled to land in or overfly Lebanese territory in the
near future. Finally, Safadi explained that the Ministry of
Transportation does not have the authority to authorize or
deny overflight for aircraft.
3. (S) Generally, Lebanon's MFA gives preliminary acceptances
to all foreign overflight requests, then refers eligible
military assistance or hazardous materials flight requests to
the cabinet. Prime Minister Siniora gives temporary
approval, and asks the cabinet to formally approve the flight
post-facto at its next meeting. (Note: This was apparently
the case for our recent ammunition deliveries. End Note.)
Foreign planes must also register their flight plans with the
civil aviation authority.
FELTMAN