MOROCCO BACKS EFFORTS TO PRESS SYRIA ON LEBANON

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000016 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2017 TAGS: PREL MO LE SUBJECT: MOROCCO BACKS EFFORTS TO PRESS SYRIA ON LEBANON Classified by DCM Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On January 7, the MFA's Co-Political Director passed us a message that Morocco was supporting efforts to break the political deadlock in Lebanon and had urged the Saudis to turn up the heat on the Asad regime. MFA Director-General Mohammed Azeroual said Morocco believed "enough is enough" on Syrian interference in Lebanon, and hoped the path would soon be cleared for Michel Sleiman to take up the Presidency. Azeroual emphasized that Morocco would pursue quietly and behind the scenes this tougher approach to Lebanon and Syria. He also conveyed Morocco's deep appreciation for the recent comments on the Kingdom by President Bush and hoped he could soon visit. End summary. ¶2. (C) MFA Director-General for Multilateral Relations Mohammed Azeroual summoned Polcouns on January 7 to convey a message from the Foreign Minister concerning Lebanon, following up on A/S Welch's contact with the Minister over the weekend of January 5. Azeroual opened by noting the GOM's deep appreciation for President Bush's positive comments about Morocco during a January 4 roundtable with foreign media. Recognizing the constraints preventing a visit here now, Azeroual hoped the President could come to Morocco soon. ¶3. (C) On Lebanon, Azeroual said Morocco was lining up with Saudi Arabia and was urging the Saudis to press Syria to break the Lebanese political deadlock. The Saudis were the only ones who could turn Bashar around, Azaroual believed. "We have excellent contacts with PM Seniora and the GOL," he emphasized, "and we have no contacts with Hizballah." "We hope to see, by the end of January at the latest, this crisis settled and Michel Sleiman in the Presidency," Azeroual stated. ¶4. (C) Underscoring Morocco's attachment to Lebanon, Azeroual said Arab states have grown weary of heavy handed Syrian interference in Lebanon, though he assessed Egypt's position as less firm. "Enough is enough.... You will soon see Arab states taking a tougher line on Lebanon," Azeroual asserted. Morocco has quietly discussed with other states the GOM belief that if the Lebanese crisis is not resoved, the March Arab League Summit should take place somewhere other than Damascus, he related. Azeroual emphasized that Morocco would, as is customary, pursue quietly and behind the scenes its tough policy on Lebanon/Syria. ¶5. (C) Azeroual confirmed that Jordanian King Abdullah would be visiting this month and would see his counterpart, King Mohammed VI. The MFA has not yet focused on any possible joint statement, he said. ¶6. (C) Comment: Morocco's constructive position on Lebanon-Syria is sincere and reflects both its desire to support U.S. objectives and its own calculation of its interests. If we have specific ideas for actions Morocco could take to support a positive outcome in Lebanon or the Middle East peace process, now would be a good time to raise them. End comment. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Riley