LEBANON: PUBLIC STATEMENTS URGE RESTRAINT, 1701,

UNCLAS BEIRUT 000039

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SUBJECT: LEBANON: PUBLIC STATEMENTS URGE RESTRAINT, 1701,
SOVEREIGNTY

SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) Following the January 8 rocket-launching from
southern Lebanon into northern Israel and subsequent Israeli
response, Lebanese leaders have urged restraint by actors on
both sides. In official statements and press interviews, key
political figures have been moderate in tone, emphasizing the
need for the GOL to maintain sovereignty over all its
territory and for Israel and Lebanon to implement fully UNSCR

1701. With the southern border thus far remaining quiet,
Lebanese leaders have been unanimous in their condemnation of
yesterday's attack. Theses statements have depicted the GOL
in a much more positive, unified light than usual. Press
coverage and leaders' statements remain focused on the
situation in Gaza.

OFFICIAL STATEMENTS STRESS SOVEREIGNTY,
1701
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2. (SBU) Public statements by key Lebanese leaders following
the January 8 exchange of fire between an unknown group in
Lebanon and Israel have stressed, as we would hope, restraint
by both sides and adherence to UNSCR 1701. Leaders also
have emphasized the need for the Lebanese Government to
maintain sovereignty and exercise control over all its
territory. President Michel Sleiman, addressing the Lebanese
diplomatic corps January 8, said Lebanon is committed "first
and foremost to preserve its independence, sovereignty, and
territorial integrity, and to act on implementing all
provisions of resolution 1701." He also commended UNIFIL for
its work in southern Lebanon and its cooperation with the
Lebanese Army.
(See paragraph 6 below.)


3. (SBU) The Lebanese Cabinet, in an official statement
issued after its January 8 session, affirmed its "unanimous"
commitment to stability and to all articles of UNSCR 1701.
(Note: The emphasis on unanimity is noteworthy as Minister
of Labor Mohammed Fneish, a member of Hizballah, was present
at Wednesday's meeting. Answering questions from the press
after issuing the Cabinet's statement, Information Minister
Tarek Mitri reiterated, "the minister representing Hizballah
is a member of this government and agrees on every word of
this statement." Press January 9 also reported that during
the session, Fneish said, "Hizballah refuses that Lebanon's
territory be used as a launching pad for rockets." End
note.) The Cabinet emphasized "its refusal to use the
Lebanese territories as a platform to launch rockets, and to
give Israel pretexts to attack Lebanon." The statement noted
instructions had been issued to expedite investigations into
the rocket attacks. (See paragraph 7 below.)


4. (SBU) In an official statement issued January 9, majority
March 14 coalition hailed the previous day's unified Cabinet
stance and reaffirmed its commitment to UNSCR 1701. March 14
said that UNSCR 1701 should be the cornerstone of the
country's defense strategy. A January 8 LAF communique
highlighted LAF efforts to protect citizens and "prohibit any
side from taking advantage of the incident and sabotaging
stability in the country."

SAME THEMES LESS FORMAL SETTINGS
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5. (SBU) Leaders echoed similar themes in January 9
conversations with the press. Prime Minister Siniora told
reporters after Friday prayers that the rocket-launching
incident aimed to drag Lebanon into a dangerous situation and
affirmed his persistence in implementing UNSCR 1701. Druze
leader Walid Jumblatt in an interview with Sharq al-Awsat
press January 9 called for solving the issue of Palestinian
arms in Lebanon, which he said jeopardize Lebanese stability
and security, especially in southern Lebanon. Jumblatt said
the January 8 rocket-launching from Lebanon into Israel
emphasized the importance of implementing Lebanon's National
Dialogue recommendations.

TRANSCRIPTS
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6. (U) Discussing Lebanese security and sovereignty during
his January 8 speech to the diplomatic corps, President
Sleiman said the following: "Having been able with its
people, resistance, and army to liberate most of its
territory from the Israeli occupation in the year 2000,
Lebanon is committed first and foremost to preserve its
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to
act on implementing all provisions of resolution 1701, while
reserving its right to regain its territories that are still
under occupation in Kfarshouba, the Shebaa farms and the
northern part of the village of Ghajar by all available and
legitimate means. In this regard, I cannot but express my
appreciation for the role played by the United Nations
Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in South Lebanon and for
the sacrifices it makes within the peacekeeping operations,
and I commend the existing cooperation between UNIFIL and the
Lebanese Army in carrying out the mandate with which it is
entrusted."


7. (U) The following was issued after the January 8 Cabinet
session: "The Council of Ministers reiterates its assurance
of the Lebanese consensus to condemn the horrific massacres
perpetrated by Israel in Gaza, and holds it (Israel) entirely
responsible, based on international law. It (the Council of
Ministers) renews the solidarity of Lebanon with the
Palestinian people in Gaza, who are the victims of Israel's
ongoing crimes. It reiterates its call on the international
community to stop the aggression and demand Israel's
withdrawal from Gaza and lift the blockade from its people,
and to provide humanitarian and medical assistance to the
population. The Council of Ministers confirms again the
Lebanese unanimous position on adhering to a national united
position and Lebanon's commitment to stability and UNSCR 1701
with all its articles. The Council of Ministers
categorically rejects the launching of rockets from the
Lebanese territories and condemns the Israeli shelling which
violates the Lebanese sovereignty and UNSCR 1701. The
Council of Ministers emphasizes its refusal to use the
Lebanese territories as a platform to launch rockets, and to
give Israel pretexts to attack Lebanon and to drag into a war
that would harm its national interest and does not serve any
Palestinian or Arab interests. The Council of Ministers
confirms the importance of the LAF, in cooperation with
UNIFIL, to carry on its full duties. Officials have given
instructions to expedite investigations in order to determine
the identity of those who launched the rockets and to arrest
them. The Council also decided that the First Lady will
accept the Turkish Prime Minister's spouse's invitation to
attend the Palestine Summit to help the people of Gaza which
will take place this Saturday in Istanbul."

COMMENT
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8. (SBU) Emphasis on the themes of Lebanese sovereignty,
restraint by all parties on both sides of the boarder, and
adherence to UNSCR 1701 are exactly what we would hope for
after an incident such as the January 8 exchange of fire an
unknown group in Lebanon and Israel. Although public
comments were issued January 9 regarding yesterday's
incident, attention here continues to be directed toward the
situation in Gaza and Israeli actions there. The U.S.
abstention from the January 8 UNSC vote on Gaza was not a
main focus of today's local press coverage. End comment.

GRANT