LEBANON: PATRIARCH SAYS SYRIA TO BLAME FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000207 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER DEPT FOR EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2018 TAGS: PARM PGOV PREL PTER LE SY SUBJECT: LEBANON: PATRIARCH SAYS SYRIA TO BLAME FOR DIVISION IN LEBANON BEIRUT 00000207 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Michele Sison for Reasons: Section 1.4 (b) an d (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) In a February 8 introductory call by the Ambassador, Maronite Patriarch Boutros Sfeir said that Lebanon, especially the Christian community, was divided and he blamed Syria and Iran for the division. The Patriarch said the key element of the Arab League initiative is the call for the immediate election of a president and that conditions should not be placed on this election. The worsening economic and political situation was causing many citizens to emigrate from Lebanon, according to the Patriarch. He ended the meeting by saying continued USG support would be important for the country. End Summary. I'M PRO U.S., NOT PRO-SYRIAN -------------- ¶2. (C) The Ambassador, accompanied by Poloff, paid an introductory call on Maronite Patriarch Boutros Sfeir at his residence in Bkirke on February 8. The Patriarch lamented that Lebanon was divided, especially within the Christian community, because some Christians support the March 14 majority, while other Christians support the March 8 opposition. However, he blamed Syria and Iran for fueling this division. ¶3. (C) The Patriarch highlighted Syrian interference in Lebanon, saying "Syria wants to create a void in Lebanon so that it's easier to take over." The Patriarch also said that the Syrians fear the Special Tribunal and this was the reason Syria was attempting to destabilize Lebanon. Their tactics are working, anti-Syrian figures in Lebanon are afraid to move around because of the fear of assassination and unfortunately, "many Lebanese politicians and anti-Syrian figures have been killed," the Patriarch said. He added that other institutions are now under attack, mainly the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF),but also the Maronite Church. ¶4. (C) The Patriarch also attributed recent personal attacks against him by pro-Syrian, former MP Suleiman Franjieh, to Syria, saying, "They are behind him. Some accuse me of being pro-U.S." (Note: This is a reference to recent public comments made by Franjieh where he said that the Patriarch was the ally of the West. End Note.). The Patriarch said that he is indeed pro-U.S. and that he is definitely not pro-Syrian. ¶5. (C) However, he noted the importance of friendly relations between Lebanon and Syria. The Patriarch believed the Syrians have other plans for Lebanon. He said the Syrians had been here for over 30 years and that they want to return, but the Lebanese people will not accept this. The current situation will not last forever and the Lebanese people will overcome this political division, according to the Patriarch. Regarding the March 14 organized rally set to take place on February 14 to commemorate the three-year anniversary of the assassination of former PM Rafiq Hariri, the Patriarch said March 14 will have a lot of public supporters present at the rally. He also noted that such an event is not a bad thing. SYG MOUSSA VISIT -------------- ¶6. (C) Regarding Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa's arrival in Beirut, the Patriarch said that he believed SYG Moussa would visit him in the coming days. He said that the most important aspect of the Arab League initiative was the demand for the immediate election of a president and that conditions should not be attached. The Patriarch said the presidency is an important institution because a newly elected president would help in the formation of a new government and that a president, along with a cabinet and parliament, is needed to help govern the country. LEBANESE BRAIN DRAIN -------------- BEIRUT 00000207 002.2 OF 002 ¶7. (C) The Patriarch said a number of young Lebanese, both Christians and Muslims, were leaving Lebanon and going to Gulf countries, such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman. He also noted that many Lebanese were emigrating to Australia and the U.S., observing that the U.S. has more than 80 Maronite churches and has 2 Bishops. The Patriarch believed that economic problems, and not just political ones, were forcing young Lebanese to leave Lebanon. He said that it is difficult to convince young Lebanese to remain or convince those who have left already to return. The Patriarch regretted the lack of job opportunities in Lebanon today and, with the political situation deteriorating, he felt that the Lebanese diaspora would not return anytime soon. Because of the economic situation, over one million people have left Lebanon, according to the Patriarch. US SUPPORT IMPORTANT -------------- ¶8. (C) The Patriarch said that the U.S. could help Lebanon by continuing to support, and call for, the immediate election of a president. He added that U.S. support for a new government, which would be formed soon after the election of a new president, and continued support for free and fair parliamentary elections in 2009 would also be helpful to Lebanon. He ended the meeting by saying it was a pity what Lebanon was enduring and the country deserved better. He hoped the situation would improve in the near future. SISON