Connelly Meets Aoun, Voices Concern over Increasing 'Sectarian Clashes'

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly expressed on Friday her country's deep concern with the rising number of sectarian-based clashes in Lebanon, calling on parties to exercise “restraint.”

“The rising number of sectarian-based clashes... pose a threat to the country's overall stability... Parties should exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty, stability, and security,” Connelly said after talks with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun.

Since the eruption of Syria's clashes in 2011, Lebanon has been witnessing several security incidents in the northern city of Tripoli, the southern port city of Sidon, along the Lebanese-Syrian border and in several other regions.

Multi-confessional Lebanon, which fought a bitter civil war from 1975-1990, is deeply divided over the conflict in neighboring Syria, which is complicating its political life.

The March 14 opposition widely supports the Sunni-led uprising against President Bashar Assad, while the Hizbullah and its allies is actively aiding his forces inside Syria. At the same time, some Sunni fighters have gone to help the rebels.

The diplomat pointed out that the primary concern of the U.S. is the “survival of Lebanon's democratic institutions and processes and the rule of the law.”

Connelly said that the Lebanese people and their representatives have the right “to decide under which law elections take place and who comprises the next government.”

The parliament's extended 17-month term entered into force on Friday as the Constitutional Council failed to meet for the fourth and last time to issue a ruling on petitions filed against the extension.

“The key issue for any democracy is that leaders and officials are accountable to the people and respect and abide by the rule of law, which includes allowing its democratic institutions to work,” the ambassador said.

She stressed that the inability to carry out this “undermines the international confidence in Lebanon and will have ramifications beyond the political arena.:

Connelly reiterated calls for politicians to abide by the Baabda Declaration.

The Baabda Declaration was unanimously adopted during a national dialogue session in June 2012. It calls for Lebanon to disassociate itself from regional crises, most notably the one in Syria.

She renewed the commitment of the U.S. to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.