Feltman in Lebanon Next Week to Tackle Parliamentary Elections

Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffery Feltman is expected to arrive in Lebanon next week where he is scheduled to hold talks with a number of officials, reported the daily An Nahar on Saturday.

The talks are likely to focus on the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon and the 2013 parliamentary elections, said the daily.

It added that he will meet with several officials, including those from the March 14 camp.

The daily reported that Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Elizabeth Dibble’s recent trip to Lebanon helped pave the way for Feltman’s visit.

Dibble had held talks on Friday with a number of senior officials to discuss the political and security situation in Lebanon, developments in Syria, and other regional issues, according to a U.S. Embassy statement released on Friday.

She met with Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abou Faour, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly, and March 14 political leaders, in addition to representatives of President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri.

The United States has repeatedly called on the Lebanese government to avoid any repercussions the Syrian crisis may have on the country.

Feltman had last visited Lebanon in February to offer his condolences over the death of former MP Nassib Lahoud.

It was unclear if he had held talks with any Lebanese officials during that trip.

A dispute has emerged over what electoral law should be adopted for the 2013 elections.

The March 8 camp has voiced support for proportional representation for the law.

This suggestion was met with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat’s opposition, who said that such a law seeks to limit his political weight.