Connelly Calls for Abiding by Disassociation Policy, Urges Assad to Respect Lebanon's Sovereignty

United States Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly urged on Tuesday all political factions in Lebanon to abide by the policy of disassociation towards regional events, expressing U.S. condolences for Lebanese citizens killed and injured by the “Syrian regime’s shelling of and firing upon border villages”.

“We reiterate U.S. calls for (Syrian President Bashar) Assad's regime to respect the sovereignty, independence, and stability of Lebanon,” Connelly said after meeting with Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

“We renew the commitment of the U.S. to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon,” she expressed.

The ambassador noted: “We appreciate Miqati’s determination to uphold Lebanon’s democratic and constitutional principles and hold elections on time”.

A man was killed at dawn Sunday by Syrian shells that landed on the town of al-Hishe in the Wadi Khaled area that borders Syria in northern Lebanon, the National News Agency reported Sunday.

NNA identified the man as al-Hishe municipality member Ahmed Shehab. His brother Hani was injured.

Artillery, mortar fire and automatic weapons were used in battles between Syrian troops and fighters on the Lebanese side of the border overnight Saturday to Sunday, said a senior Lebanese security official.

The violence broke out a few hours after another Lebanese man, Hussein Ismail, 40, was killed by gunfire in the Lebanese area of al-Buqaiaa.