LEBANON: URGING GOL ACTION TO STEM UNSCR 1701

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 003953 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL IR LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: URGING GOL ACTION TO STEM UNSCR 1701 VIOLATIONS REF: BEIRUT 60 Classified By: NEA DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY DAVID M. HALE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3. SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (C) On January 14, unknown persons in south Lebanon launched rockets towards Israel, the second rocket attack from Lebanon into Israel in one week. No organization has claimed responsibility for the most recent attack or the earlier January 8 rocket attack, although many observers are pointing fingers at the Syria-based Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) Both the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have condemned these incidents. However, these rocket attacks represent a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701. The GOL must proactively seek to halt additional attacks and to reaffirm its commitment to UNSCR 1701, to prevent a widening of the Gaza conflict into Lebanon. OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Charge should pursue the following objectives with senior interlocutors on Thursday, January 15: -- (C/REL) Emphasize that the GOL should continue to show restraint in regard to Israeli military responses, aggressively investigate the January 8 and January 14 rocket incidents in coordination with UNIFIL, and take action to prevent future attacks. -- (C/REL) Stress that continuation of attacks against Israel could lead to massive Israeli retaliation and expansion of the Gaza conflict across Lebanon's borders, with disastrous consequences for Lebanon. -- (C/REL) Encourage the Council of Ministers to issue a strong, and unanimous, statement condemning the attacks and reiterating the GOL's continuing commitment to USNCR ¶1701. -- (C/REL) Emphasize that continuing incidents out of Lebanon distract from international efforts to bring resolution to the Gaza crisis. -- (C/REL) Note that the GOL's inability to prevent rocket launches from its territory or to take steps against those responsible could undermine U.S. support for Lebanon and especially assistance to the LAF. -- (C/REL) Underscore that full implementation of Resolution 1701 is critical for Lebanon's internal stability and for international support for Lebanon. Violations such as the recent rocket attacks will not be tolerated. REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶4. (U) Embassy Beirut should report results by cable to NEA/ELA Deputy Director Stephen Newhouse and Lebanon desk officer Matt Irwin by Thursday, January 15. RICE