Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIRUT1310
2008-09-05 14:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
LEBANON: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO
how-toVZCZCXRO6308 PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHLB #1310 2491439 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051439Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2955 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2862 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 3088 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 001310
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, PM/FO
ALSO FOR IO ACTING A/S HOOK, WARLICK
P FOR HMUSTAFA, RRANGASWAMY
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/SCHEDLBAUER
NSC FOR ABRAMS/YERGER/MCDERMOTT
DOD/OSD A/S LONG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR MOPS SY LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO
PRESIDENT SLEIMAN
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 001310
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, PM/FO
ALSO FOR IO ACTING A/S HOOK, WARLICK
P FOR HMUSTAFA, RRANGASWAMY
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/SCHEDLBAUER
NSC FOR ABRAMS/YERGER/MCDERMOTT
DOD/OSD A/S LONG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR MOPS SY LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO
PRESIDENT SLEIMAN
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Ambassador presented her credentials to President
Michel Sleiman in a ceremony at Baabda Palace on September 4
that also included Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh and MFA
Chief of Protocol George Siam. A/DCM, DATT, Pol/Econ Chief,
Consul, and ARSO Officer also attended the half-hour event,
which included a military welcome and playing of both
countries' national anthems, followed by a press spray,
meeting and champagne toast, with the entire cast dressed in
white, per presidential palace protocol.
2. (C) Sleiman pledged his commitment to Lebanon's democracy
and the protection of human rights; thanked the U.S. for its
support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal
Security Forces (ISF); highlighted the importance of
resolving Sheba'a Farms; reiterated his commitment to
supporting humanitarian aspects of Palestinian refugees in
Lebanon, while stressing the need for the international
community to focus on the right of return; and noted the
importance of regional issues for Lebanon. He also
highlighted the strong ties the Lebanese-American community
retain with the mother country.
3. (C) The Ambassador raised preparations for Sleiman's
upcoming visit to Washington, noting that President Bush had
extended the invitation on May 26, the day after Sleiman took
office. She relayed that there would be great interest in
Washington on Sleiman's views on implementation of UNSCR
1701, developments in Lebanon with the launch of the National
Dialogue and lead-up to the spring 2009 parliamentary
elections, and regional developments, including Sleiman's
recent trips to Syria and Qatar and President Sarkozy's
meeting with Turkey, Syria, and Qatar in Damascus. (Note:
Sleiman plans to visit Saudi Arabia and probably Egypt before
Washington, and Iran sometime after his U.S. trip. End
note.) The Ambassador also stressed the robust relationship
between the two countries and continuing U.S. support for
Lebanon.
SISON
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, PM/FO
ALSO FOR IO ACTING A/S HOOK, WARLICK
P FOR HMUSTAFA, RRANGASWAMY
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/SCHEDLBAUER
NSC FOR ABRAMS/YERGER/MCDERMOTT
DOD/OSD A/S LONG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR MOPS SY LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO
PRESIDENT SLEIMAN
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Ambassador presented her credentials to President
Michel Sleiman in a ceremony at Baabda Palace on September 4
that also included Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh and MFA
Chief of Protocol George Siam. A/DCM, DATT, Pol/Econ Chief,
Consul, and ARSO Officer also attended the half-hour event,
which included a military welcome and playing of both
countries' national anthems, followed by a press spray,
meeting and champagne toast, with the entire cast dressed in
white, per presidential palace protocol.
2. (C) Sleiman pledged his commitment to Lebanon's democracy
and the protection of human rights; thanked the U.S. for its
support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal
Security Forces (ISF); highlighted the importance of
resolving Sheba'a Farms; reiterated his commitment to
supporting humanitarian aspects of Palestinian refugees in
Lebanon, while stressing the need for the international
community to focus on the right of return; and noted the
importance of regional issues for Lebanon. He also
highlighted the strong ties the Lebanese-American community
retain with the mother country.
3. (C) The Ambassador raised preparations for Sleiman's
upcoming visit to Washington, noting that President Bush had
extended the invitation on May 26, the day after Sleiman took
office. She relayed that there would be great interest in
Washington on Sleiman's views on implementation of UNSCR
1701, developments in Lebanon with the launch of the National
Dialogue and lead-up to the spring 2009 parliamentary
elections, and regional developments, including Sleiman's
recent trips to Syria and Qatar and President Sarkozy's
meeting with Turkey, Syria, and Qatar in Damascus. (Note:
Sleiman plans to visit Saudi Arabia and probably Egypt before
Washington, and Iran sometime after his U.S. trip. End
note.) The Ambassador also stressed the robust relationship
between the two countries and continuing U.S. support for
Lebanon.
SISON