Middle East

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22 May 2009
Biden: The Future of Lebanon Is for the People to Decide

By Merle David Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington — Vice President Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for the Lebanese government, and also encouraged the Lebanese people to hold fair, free and open parliamentary elections June 7 that reflect their will.

At a brief press conference May 22 at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of the Lebanese capital Beirut, Biden said that he was not there to offer support for any particular political party or candidate. He emerged from consultations with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and planned further meetings with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Defense Minister Elias Murr.

“I come to demonstrate a strong United States backing for certain fundamental principles: the principle that the Lebanese people alone, the Lebanese people alone should choose their leaders; a principle that Lebanese sovereignty cannot and will not be traded away; a principle that the Lebanese state, accountable to the Lebanese people, is the defender of Lebanese freedom,” Biden said.

Biden is the highest-level U.S. official to visit Lebanon since then-Vice President George H.W. Bush, who was serving with President Ronald Reagan, came to the country in October 1983. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Beirut in April to offer support for free and fair elections.

“Lebanon has suffered terribly from war. We have a real opportunity now ..., in my view, for peace,” Biden said. “So I urge those who would think about standing with the spoilers of peace not to miss this opportunity to walk away from the spoilers.”

Saying that Lebanon has “immeasurable potential,” Biden told reporters that he could not envision peace in the Middle East without a stable and strong Lebanon. The vice president also said that the United States will evaluate the shape of future assistance programs based on the composition of the new government and the policies it advocates.

The United States has provided Lebanon with more than $1 billion in assistance since 2006 and military aid that has exceeded $410 million. Biden said planned deliveries include ammunition, M60 battle tanks, close air support aircraft armed with guided missiles, artillery, small arms and light weapons, tactical vehicles, armored personnel carriers, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

But Biden said that assistance has also included extensive training programs for the Lebanese army and police forces. “The United States is committed to Lebanon,” he said. “We are committed to playing a central role, to the extent you wish us to do so, in guaranteeing that sovereignty for a democratic Lebanon.”

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