LEBANON: DISCUSSIONS WITH PM SINIORA, LF LEADER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000640 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 PM SINIORA, LF LEADER GEAGEA, MARCH 14 SYG REF: A. BEIRUT 635 ¶B. BEIRUT 636 ¶C. BEIRUT 637 Classified By: CDA Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Prime Minister Fouad Siniora told the Charge at 1440 on May 9 that Beirut is undergoing a "coup d'etat" by Hizballah and would welcome a strong condemnation from the U.S. on Iran, Syria, and Hizballah. He expressed his appreciation for USG and Arab League foreign ministers' support. He assured us of his resolve. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea reported that 50 members from March 14 have gathered at his residence in Maarab and plan to make a March 14 declaration in response to Hizballah's positional takeovers throughout Beirut. From the meeting in Maarab, March 14 Secretary General Fares Suaid suggested to the Charge that the U.S. send a strong message to Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Sleiman that the army must ensure the security of the March 14 leaders. Suaid said he believed Hizballah is pressuring PM Fouad Siniora to resign. End summary. SINIORA: "COUP D'ETAT" BY HIZBALLAH -------------- ¶2. (C) The Charge spoke with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora at 1440 on May 9. The Charge assured Siniora of full USG support for him, his government, and institutions of the state. She expressed concern about Hizballah's escalation of violence in the streets (Refs A, B, C). Siniora responded that he was both safe and strong, adding, "I am still strong in my mind. I have resolve. What has happened is a coup d'etat. Beirut is being raped. I repeat, raped, and please use this word when communicating with Washington. I am ashamed to say Hizballah is behaving more poorly than the Israelis. What it is doing is unacceptable." The Charge replied to the PM that she was glad to hear of his resolve, given the rumors that he might resign. "No, I am here," he said, and continued, "What Hizballah is doing is too much. They've bitten off more than they can chew." ¶3. (C) The Charge asked what the USG could do to support PM Siniora and his government. He said that he would welcome a strong condemnation of Iran, Syria, and Hizballah. The Charge said that a statement from the US and its friends was already being discussed. Siniora expressed his appreciation for US support and referred to Arab League FMs' support. When the Charge asked about short-term versus long-term requests, Siniora said, "Well," he paused, "I'm not really asking for anything physical. I mean I am not really asking for a show of military force on the ground." Siniora and the Charge promised to stay in touch. GEAGEA HOSTING MARCH 14 MEETING -------------- ¶4. (C) At 1340, the Charge spoke to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. Geagea reported that he was safe and sound at his northern residence in the mountains in Maarab. He said that he is about to commence a meeting with 50 of Lebanese Forces, Future Movement and other March 14 supporters, those who were able to safely travel to Maarab, to discuss how to respond to Hizballah's attacks. (Note: No one from Walid Jumblatt's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) was able to join. End note.) Geagea conveyed March 14's determination to stand firm, saying that they will issue a declaration at the conclusion of their meeting. ¶5. (C) The Charge underscored the U.S.'s unwavering support for Lebanon's democracy, legitimate government, and state institutions to Geagea. MARCH 14 SYG ASKS USG TO BE FIRM WITH SLEIMAN -------------- BEIRUT 00000640 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) March 14 SYG Fares Suaid told the Charge at 1320 that March 14 is hoping for "full and sustained support" by the international community for the Siniora government. The Charge assured Suaid that March 14 has the U.S.'s support. Suaid said that the situation in Lebanon resembles Gaza, explaining that Beirut is under full control of Iran and Hizballah following a military-like takeover. ¶7. (C) Suaid suggested the U.S. send a strong message (stressing that it be made after March 14 issues its declaration) to Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Sleiman that he must ensure the security of March 14 leaders and personalities. Suaid continued, "Sleiman needs to take full responsibility as the head of the LAF to stand up for his country and not to succumb to Hizballah pressure." SISON