MFA APPRECIATES NAHR AL-BARID REBUILDING EFFORT

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000681 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID UNRWA LE AE SUBJECT: MFA APPRECIATES NAHR AL-BARID REBUILDING EFFORT REF: STATE 60216 Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Noting the UAE had only "sketchy" information on the June 23 pledging conference to address reconstruction needs of Lebanon's Narh al-Barid refugee camp (reftel),Assistant Under Secretary for Political Affairs Tariq al-Haidan told the Charge June 5 that UAE policy would continue to focus on helping Lebanon. Commenting that the UAE has contributed much to Lebanon, Al-Haidan appreciated clarification of the goals of the Vienna conference and emphasized the importance of Lebanon taking advantage of the current opportunity to rebuild and stabilize the political situation. He hoped that PM Siniora would have a government formed before the conference but was unsure whether such progress was likely. Charge noted that a significant USG pledge would be announced at the conference. ¶2. (SBU) MFA has yet to determine who might represent the UAE at the June 23 conference. Quinn