Report: McCain’s Visit to Lebanon Aimed at Following up on Lebanese Positions on Syrian Crisis
U.S. Senator John McCain arrived in Lebanon this week to hold talks with a number of officials on the Syrian crisis and its effect on Lebanon, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday.
Widely-informed sources told the newspaper that his trip is aimed at following up on Lebanese position on the crisis.
“The visit is more of an assessment rather than a political or routine one,” they added.
McCain last visited Lebanon in May during which he toured the Lebanese-Syrian border in the North and inquired about the stances of Lebanese officials on the developments in Syria.
The U.S. official “seemed to have a number of questions to pose to officials regarding the situation in Syria and its effect on Lebanon,” said the sources of his visit this week.
He later held talks on Friday with President Michel Suleiman on bolstering bilateral ties, U.S. military aid to Lebanon, and the latest developments Syria.
He held talks on Thursday with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, after which he stressed the need to set up a safe zone for the Free Syrian Army and opposition to allow them to organize their affairs, carry out trainings, and cater to the wounded.
He later clarified after holding talks on Friday with Mustaqbal bloc head MP Fouad Saniora that he was not talking about Lebanon when he spoke of a safe zone for the Free Syrian Army.
He had also met with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji.
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