LEBANON: IRENA DEMARCHE RESPONSE

UNCLAS BEIRUT 000665 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EEB/ESC FOR DANIELLE MONOSSON OES/EGC FOR GRIFF THOMPSON IO/EDA REBECCA WEBBER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG KGHG SENV SUBJECT: LEBANON: IRENA DEMARCHE RESPONSE REF: A. STATE 61286 ¶B. STATE 59969 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Post delivered reftel demarches June 12 to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate of International Organizations Walid Haidar. Haidar noted that Lebanon will attend the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) preparatory meeting June 28-30 in Egypt. Lebanese representatives have not been selected, but Haidar expected a ministerial-level delegation. He said ratification of Lebanon's IRENA membership required parliamentary approval; since the parliament is in a transitional stage following June 7 elections, Haidar assessed ratification would be postponed until the new parliament becomes operational, sometime after June 21. ¶2. (SBU) Lebanon supports the UAE as a headquarters for IRENA and has no position so far on the body's Director General, Haidar told us. On the mission, focus, and purpose of IRENA, he said Lebanon considers IRENA's mission "comprehensive" and will support the organization's stated mission, including capacity building and technical assistance. SISON