MGLBO1: TUNISIAN MFA VOICES SATISFACTION WITH DOHA

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000558 SIPDIS NEA/MAG (NARDI AND HARRIS) LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV LE SY TS SUBJECT: MGLBO1: TUNISIAN MFA VOICES SATISFACTION WITH DOHA AGREEMENT REF: A. TUNIS 531 ¶B. TUNIS 495 ¶C. TUNIS 312 ¶1. (U) On May 22, the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the following statement welcoming the signature of the Doha agreement. Text of MFA communique is as follows (official Tunisia-Africa Press Agency translation): BEGIN TEXT: Tunisia welcomed with deep satisfaction the Doha agreement, which the brotherly Lebanese people arrived at and which constitutes an important step on the path of achieving national reconciliation in Lebanon, vitalisation (sic) of the country's constitutional institutions and preservation of its security and its stability. Tunisia asserts its support to this historical accord and pays tribute to the Lebanese leaders for their sense of responsibility and the determination they showed to preserve their country's unity and protect it against the dangers of discord and disunity. While reaffirming its support to the Lebanese state and its keenness to consecrate concord and understanding between all its citizens, Tunisia extends its sincere congratulations to the Lebanese brotherly people for this important achievement which is likely to strengthen peace and stability in the region. END TEXT. ¶2. (C) Comment: The statement reflects the GOT's emphasis on regional stability, as well as its reluctance to be out in front of Arab League consensus on Lebanon. The GOT also wants to maintain its good relations with Syria. Prior to the Doha negotiations, the Foreign Minister's Chief of Staff Mahmoud Khemiri told Charge (Ref A) in effect that Tunisia did not believe it was necessary to take any steps with regard to Hizballah and provided no indication that Tunisia would take any action on the demarche points. President Ben Ali attended the Arab League Summit in Damascus, despite earlier indications he would not participate. Meanwhile, the GOT just hosted the Syrian Prime Minister for a three-day visit. Although Tunisia prides itself on its moderating role in the region, it appears the GOT is not ready to stick its neck out. End Comment. Please visit Embassy Tunis' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/tunis/index.c fm GODEC