U.S. Vows to Work with Salam to Help him Overcome Challenges
U.S. Ambassador David Hale said Monday that Washington stood ready to work with Prime Minister Tammam Salam to help his government overcome many challenges, including the threat of terrorism.
“We stand ready to work with him (Salam) and his team to advance our bilateral relations and to help with the many challenges facing Lebanon,” Hale said following talks with the prime minister.
“Lebanon cannot and need not deal with these challenges alone,” he said.
The diplomat cited among the challenges the promotion of Lebanon’s policy of dissociation, ending terrorist acts and violence, helping Lebanese communities cope with the Syrian refugees, and protecting the opportunity for the Lebanese to choose their own leaders, as president and in parliament, freely, fairly, on time, and in accordance with the constitution.
Hale said Lebanese leaders can help the people meet those challenges and bolster chances for peace by upholding the Taef Agreement and Baabda Declaration, and fully implementing U.N. Security Council resolutions 1701 and 1559.
Hale expressed respect for the leadership that former Prime Minister Najib Miqati demonstrated during difficult times.
“We value his moderation and his commitment to strong American-Lebanese relations. We look forward to continued partnership with him in the years to come,” he said.
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