US official Shannon after meeting Bassil: US, International community will continue to support Lebanon

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gebran Bassil received on Thursday Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs at the US State Department, Thomas Shannon, who kicked off a two-day official visit to Lebanon.

Following the meeting, Shannon said that he discussed with Bassil a wide range of topics as well as the latest regional developments.

He also noted that discussions featured high over the numerous challenges facing Lebanon, the terrorist threats, the Syrian refugee crisis and the political impasse.

"The aim of my visit is to boost the US-Lebanese relationship through providing a long-term support for the Lebanese state’s institutions and people," said Shannon.

He concluded by saying that his country, along with the international community, would ​continue to support Lebanon, adding however that “his country would not involve itself in resolving local problems like the presidential vacuum, as such problem should be treated through Lebanese institutions and people.”