Clinton advises Mikati on future of Lebanese government

PM Najib Mikati said that the Lebanese Cabinet prioritizes stability in Lebanon and is keen on keeping the country immune from the influence of external incidents. Mikati reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to international resolutions saying “we cannot be selective when it comes to abiding by international resolutions”.    

“I call on the United States to support the LAF in carrying out its tasks, especially UN resolution 1701”, Mikati said during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton on Monday afternoon in the office of the Security Council’s chairman.    

For her part, Clinton said that the U.S. is committed to help Lebanon and wants to see this country respect its international commitments. “The Lebanese Cabinet’s priorities, as set by PM Mikati, are in the right, and serve Lebanon’s higher interest”, she said, adding that the Lebanese Cabinet’s latest stance at the U.N. Security Council was a “smart move that we completely understand”.      

Clinton hoped that the Lebanese Cabinet will fulfill its commitments by continuing the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) adding “the state cannot remain absent and the Lebanese citizen must enjoy stability and justice”.    

“We understand and are fully aware of the necessity of supporting the LAF, but at the same time, no other armed group should assume the role of the state or that of the cabinet”,   

Clinton continued by committing to continued U.S. support for the LAF because it believes it is the only institution capable of protecting Lebanon, its independence and territorial unity.     

On the other hand, Feltman told journalists that Clinton warned the Lebanese Cabinet against getting caught up in the Syrian unrest. “Lebanon must stay neutral when it comes to imposing sanctions on the Syrian regime’s violent crackdown on protestors”, he said.   

PM Mikati also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the presence of Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Adnan Mansour and ambassadors Chedid and Salam.    
During the meeting, Lavrov stressed the importance of protecting Lebanon’s stability and keeping it away from the region’s unrest. “We will continue to support the LAF”, he said, calling upon PM Mikati to provide Russia with further details regarding the LAF.     

PM Mikati met with the Arab League’s Secretary General Nabil Araby who briefed him on the outcome of his visit to Syria and the Arab League’s initiative in this regard.