Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIRUT636
2008-05-09 08:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
LEBANON: DISCUSSIONS WITH LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN,
how-toVZCZCXRO9316 OO RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHLB #0636 1300840 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 090840Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1767 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2229 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2534 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 000636
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR A/S SILVERBERG AND PDAS WARLICK
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/KUMAR/PHEE
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR ASEC EAIR SA IR UNSC LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: DISCUSSIONS WITH LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN,
JUSTICE MINISTER RIZK
REF: A. BEIRUT 635
B. BEIRUT 634
Classified By: CDA Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 000636
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR A/S SILVERBERG AND PDAS WARLICK
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/KUMAR/PHEE
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR ASEC EAIR SA IR UNSC LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: DISCUSSIONS WITH LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN,
JUSTICE MINISTER RIZK
REF: A. BEIRUT 635
B. BEIRUT 634
Classified By: CDA Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Sleiman told
the Defense Attache that the LAF cannot continue to contain
the situation and that he believes civil war has begun.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Charles Rizk is questioning why
Hizballah is handing over its takeovers to the army and said
that Lebanon is entering a new chapter. End summary.
SLEIMAN: CIVIL WAR HAS BEGUN
--------------
2. (C) The Defense Attache (DAO) met with Lebanese Armed
Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman for 30 minutes this
morning (May 9). The DAO reported that a very somber Sleiman
said the army could not continue to contain the situation.
The Internal Security Forces (ISF) have abandoned their
positions, he reported, and the Sunnis have no voice now
(referring to the shutdown of Future TV, Ref A). "I know
civil war. I feared it for three years, and now, civil war
has begun," Sleiman stated. All of the Sunni supporters
(militia) that came into town to support Saad have now left,
he said. Septel on Sleiman to follow.
RIZK: THE BEGINNING
OF A NEW CHAPTER
--------------
3. (C) In an 1100 phone call on May 8 to the Charge, Justice
Minister Charles Rizk defined the current situation (Refs A,
B) as "not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter."
This situation is dangerous and serious, he said, "but not
the end." The Charge agreed that although Hizballah has
taken over positionally in certain locations, the March 14
forces of moderation still have the support of people on the
ground.
4. (C) Rizk said he found it very disturbing to see the
connection between the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and
Hizballah. The role of army, he said, is not "negotiating
surrenders," and he pondered, "Does this help the long-term
possibilities of LAF Commander Michel Sleiman (the consensus
presidential candidate)?" Why was the army standing on the
sidelines, he wondered, taking over for Hizballah and
evacuating citizens from houses, party headquarters, and
offices. The role of army is not to negotiate, Rizk
underlined.
5. (C) Rizk said that he had just spoken to PM Fouad Siniora
on the phone and found his mood to be quite somber. The GOL
is grateful for U.S. statements of support for Lebanon and
its assistance. Again, he repeated, "this is not the end but
a beginning of a new chapter." March 14 and the government
are now looking at the short-term and long-term. In the
streets, he continued, Hizballah has scored military and
political points over the past few days. On the other hand,
Rizk stated, the game was not yet over politically.
SISON
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR A/S SILVERBERG AND PDAS WARLICK
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/KUMAR/PHEE
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR ASEC EAIR SA IR UNSC LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: DISCUSSIONS WITH LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN,
JUSTICE MINISTER RIZK
REF: A. BEIRUT 635
B. BEIRUT 634
Classified By: CDA Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Sleiman told
the Defense Attache that the LAF cannot continue to contain
the situation and that he believes civil war has begun.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Charles Rizk is questioning why
Hizballah is handing over its takeovers to the army and said
that Lebanon is entering a new chapter. End summary.
SLEIMAN: CIVIL WAR HAS BEGUN
--------------
2. (C) The Defense Attache (DAO) met with Lebanese Armed
Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman for 30 minutes this
morning (May 9). The DAO reported that a very somber Sleiman
said the army could not continue to contain the situation.
The Internal Security Forces (ISF) have abandoned their
positions, he reported, and the Sunnis have no voice now
(referring to the shutdown of Future TV, Ref A). "I know
civil war. I feared it for three years, and now, civil war
has begun," Sleiman stated. All of the Sunni supporters
(militia) that came into town to support Saad have now left,
he said. Septel on Sleiman to follow.
RIZK: THE BEGINNING
OF A NEW CHAPTER
--------------
3. (C) In an 1100 phone call on May 8 to the Charge, Justice
Minister Charles Rizk defined the current situation (Refs A,
B) as "not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter."
This situation is dangerous and serious, he said, "but not
the end." The Charge agreed that although Hizballah has
taken over positionally in certain locations, the March 14
forces of moderation still have the support of people on the
ground.
4. (C) Rizk said he found it very disturbing to see the
connection between the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and
Hizballah. The role of army, he said, is not "negotiating
surrenders," and he pondered, "Does this help the long-term
possibilities of LAF Commander Michel Sleiman (the consensus
presidential candidate)?" Why was the army standing on the
sidelines, he wondered, taking over for Hizballah and
evacuating citizens from houses, party headquarters, and
offices. The role of army is not to negotiate, Rizk
underlined.
5. (C) Rizk said that he had just spoken to PM Fouad Siniora
on the phone and found his mood to be quite somber. The GOL
is grateful for U.S. statements of support for Lebanon and
its assistance. Again, he repeated, "this is not the end but
a beginning of a new chapter." March 14 and the government
are now looking at the short-term and long-term. In the
streets, he continued, Hizballah has scored military and
political points over the past few days. On the other hand,
Rizk stated, the game was not yet over politically.
SISON