Obama's Assistant Meets Senior Officials, Condemns Hizbullah's Fighting in Syria

Special Assistant to U.S. President Barack Obama and White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and Gulf Region Philip Gordon expressed on Tuesday the United States’ grave concern about the situation in Syria and condemned continued shelling of Lebanese territory from Syria.

He also condemned Hizbullah’s involvement in Syria, fighting on behalf of the regime Syrian President Bashar Assad, “which risks drawing Lebanon into the conflict and is counter to the Lebanese government’s policies.”

He made his remarks during a visit to Lebanon during which he met with senior officials, including President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, United Nations High Commission for Refugees Lebanon Country Representative Ninette Kelley, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, and March 14 leaders.

Gordon reiterated the United States’ support for the principles of the Baabda Declaration and Lebanon’s dissociation policy, calling on all parties in the region “to avoid any actions that would exacerbate the crisis in Syria, increase the propensity for spillover violence, and negatively affect civilian populations.”

He conveyed the United States’ “appreciation for ongoing efforts by responsible Lebanese leaders to preserve Lebanon’s stability and to fulfill its international obligations.”

He also expressed U.S. support for the extraordinary efforts exerted by Lebanese leaders to adhere to Lebanon’s legal and constitutional framework to hold timely parliamentary elections.

In his meetings, Gordon commended the Lebanese government and the generosity of the Lebanese people for hosting and supporting over 463,000 refugees from Syria who have fled the “brutal violence of the Syrian regime”.

He welcomed the Lebanese government’s continued efforts to meet its humanitarian obligations to keep its borders open for refugees in need, provide protection, and work with the international community to provide assistance.

He underscored the United States’ continued commitment to Lebanon to provide assistance to refugees as well as support for Lebanese host communities.

As part of this ongoing U.S. commitment, Gordon announced an additional $10 million in assistance for Lebanese host communities and Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

This assistance, which will be available after Congressional review, builds on the United States’ existing $83 million total assistance commitment in Lebanon for the Syria crisis. The United States urges all international donors to help Lebanon meet its obligations to the refugees.

He renewed the United States’ commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.