U.S. Says it Intends to Judge Next Lebanese Government by its Deeds

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg has said that Washington “intends to judge the next Lebanese government by its deeds.”

“We will be watching Prime Minister-designate (Najib) Miqati to see whether he makes good on his public pledge to build a broad-based government that represents all sections of Lebanese society,” Steinberg said in a testimony at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Egypt and Lebanon on Thursday.

Miqati’s “efforts to maintain stability on Lebanon’s border with Israel will be another crucial factor in the evolution of the U.S.-Lebanese bilateral relationship,” he said in prepared testimony.

He told the hearing the U.S. would be in a better position to discuss the future of its assistance to the country when “the shape of Lebanon’s transition becomes clearer.”

“We continue to monitor our end-use agreements to ensure that no weapons are diverted from the Lebanese Armed Forces,” he said.

On ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s assassination, Steinberg said the U.S. will continue to support the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. “Lasting peace and stability depend on ending impunity for political assassinations.”

“We expect Lebanon’s leaders to make it clear that they seek a future free of outside influence or pressure,” he said.

Steinberg said that the one constant amid the turmoil in the region was the United States' unwavering support for Israel.