SEEKING ARAB SUPPORT FOR LEBANON BORDER MISSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002855 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL EG LE SUBJECT: SEEKING ARAB SUPPORT FOR LEBANON BORDER MISSION REF: SECSTATE 131578 Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION STUART JONES. REASONS: 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) DCM and poloff delivered points in reftel to Arab League and the Egyptian MFA September 19-20. The Arab League welcomed USG interest on providing technical assistance for the Syrian-Lebanese border, but was wary of deploying personnel immediately. The MFA was supportive in principle, but asked for more details, and warned that any international activity on the Lebanese-Syrian border risked inflaming tensions with Syria, and potentially backfiring on Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora. End summary. ¶2. (C) DCM delivered points in reftel to Hisham Yousef, Chief of Staff to Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa, September 19. Yousef welcomed USG interest on the Syrian-Lebanese border, noting that the Arab League supports Lebanon in controlling its borders, and already has a resolution empowering the Secretary General to take action. Yousef said the Arab League envisions starting out with a technical approach, first to see what is required, followed by equipment and training. PM Siniora would need to send a letter requesting support from the Arab League as the next step. ¶3. (C) DCM broached the idea of a joint Arab League - European Union monitoring mission that could include personnel. Yousef welcomed the USG initiative but stopped short of endorsing the joint mission. He urged that USG officials who are engaged on this issue seek him out in New York during the UN General Assembly. ¶4. (C) On September 20 Poloff raised points in reftel with Egyptian MFA Deputy Assistant Minister for North American Affairs Mohammad Abou el Dahab. Dahab said the GOE is fully supportive of Lebanese sovereignty and that the GOE would support in principle any effort to help the Lebanese control their borders. That said, Dahab had many questions on the specifics of timing, equipment, and possibility of personnel on the border. Poloff said that the details were to be determined, but the key is that Lebanon is supported, and that Syria does not benefit, given its behavior. Dahab said the key actor in all of this would be Siniora, who would have to request the international support, but also cautioned against potential backlash against the Siniora government as a result of this initiative. ¶5. (SBU) We will continue to follow up with both the Arab League and GOE. RICCIARDONE