MFA ON ASAD'S TRAVELS, LEBANON

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000694 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL SY LE AG SUBJECT: MFA ON ASAD'S TRAVELS, LEBANON REF: SECSTATE 061438 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas F. Daughton for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The Algerian foreign ministry is not aware of any imminent visit to Algeria by Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, according to Counselor Nassima Baghli and North America Director Abdellah Laouari. Laouari told us on June 15 that the MFA was aware of Asad's recent visit to Tripoli, along with several other heads of state, but did not know of planning for any visit by Asad to Algiers. In a separate conversation on June 14, Baghli said she did not believe the Tripoli meeting rose to the level of an "informal Arab summit." ¶2. (C) In response to reftel demarche, Laouari said the MFA was pleased that the Doha process had ended the political impasse in Lebanon, with a compromise paving the way for the election of a new president. Laouari said he did not know when Algeria would be able to deliver our message to the Syrians, but he did say that Algeria was hopeful that Syria would continue to play a "constructive" role in ensuring that the Doha process moved forward to strengthen the fragile Lebanese government. He agreed with our assessment that outside help would be critical to ensuring peace and stability in Lebanon. FORD