U.S.: Lebanon’s Democratic Gains Threatened by Cabinet that Reflects Will of External Interests
U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly has said that Premier Najib Miqati’s cabinet “appears to reflect less the will of the people and more the will of external interests.”
During a reception held at the embassy to bid farewell to Public Affairs Officer Ryan Gliha on Wednesday, Connelly said: “There is a danger that Lebanon will lose many of its hard-fought gains on the level of democratic participation and transparency.”
“Lebanon took a monumental step in 2005 when the Lebanese people put an end to the Syrian occupation of this country, but the lack of change and reform in the intervening years has disappointed many of those who gathered in Martyrs’ Square six years ago,” she said.
Connelly called for reform in Lebanon and its regional neighbors, saying
“the people of the region need to open more channels to hold their government accountable to its obligations to respond to their legitimate needs and desires.”
“Extremist elements and terrorist groups” are competing for influence, she said. “So this is a critical moment, and this is a test of leadership for all of us.”
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