Kerry Says U.S. Did Not Evacuate Staff from Beirut, Reduced Employees' Number for 'Security Reasons'
The United States' Secretary of State assured on Saturday that his country is not paving the way to evacuate all its employees from Beirut, ahead of the possible U.S.-led military strike against Syria.
"We did not recall our staff from Beirut,” John Kerry stated at a joint press conference with his French counterpart Laurent Fabius in Paris.
Kerry noted, however, that the number of American employees has been reduced “for security reasons.”
"We reduced the number of employees because we wanted to have a limited staff in Beirut, in case something happens,” he elaborated.
The U.S. top diplomat added that not striking Syria “will send a message to Iran, Hizbullah and North Korea to continue their activities against the Syrian people.”
The American embassy in Beirut said Friday that its non-essential staff and family members are being evacuated from Lebanon because of "threats to U.S. mission facilities and personnel."
But Lebanese authorities said they had boosted security measures at foreign diplomatic missions ahead of any international military action against Syria.
The Department of State also urged U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon “because of current safety and security concerns,” noting that “U.S. citizens living and working in Lebanon should understand that they accept risks in remaining and should carefully consider those risks.”
Meanwhile, Fabius announced that President Michel Suleiman has decided to “disassociate the country” from the Syrian crisis.
"But (Syrian President Bashar) Assad is doing the opposite and exporting his country's turmoil into Lebanon,” the French FM pointed out.
"The Syrian crisis does affect Lebanon. But we do not want it to spill over in the region.”
Fabius also stressed during talks with reporters on the “strong ties between France and the Lebanese people.”
U.S. President Barack Obama warned in August he was ready to launch military strikes on Assad's regime over its alleged use of chemical weapons.
Washington has accused the regime of Assad of carrying out the August 21 attack near Damascus, which U.S. officials say killed nearly 1,500 people, including hundreds of children.
Source: Naharnet
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