Feltman Ends Beirut Visit Leaving behind him Conflicting Reports on Whether he Addressed Government Formation

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman ended his visit to Lebanon on Saturday after holding talks with a number of Lebanese officials on the government formation process, including President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati.

A U.S. Embassy statement said on Friday that he reiterated the U.S.'s view that the international community will assess its relationship with any new government of Lebanon based on the make-up of the next cabinet, its ministerial statement and the actions it takes in regard to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and Lebanon's other international obligations.

A source from Suleiman and Miqati told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Saturday that Feltman explained the American policy in the region and its interest in the changes and reforms, especially those taking place in Syria.

Suleiman’s circles told al-Mustaqbal daily on Saturday however that the U.S. official did not discuss the government formation process or any other internal Lebanese affair with the president.

They said that Suleiman had stressed the need for stability and reform in the region, echoing the United States’ demands and noting that practical steps are necessary for such aims.

Feltman’s visit coincided with that of Iranian deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Reza Shebani who also held talks with Suleiman.

Baabda palace circles revealed that his talks with the president focused on the situation in Syria and attempts to create Sunni-Alawite strife there, as well as attempts to create Sunni-Shiite strife in the region.

Shebani stressed that Iran is keen on averting such disputes because it will have negative repercussions on all sides.

Feltman visited Lebanon on Friday to deliver a message that the United States views the revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa as an historic opportunity to meet the aspirations of the people of the region, building a stronger foundation for prosperity, and showing people the fruits of democratic change, said the U.S. Embassy statement on Friday.

He also held talks with former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.

Echoing the message of President Barack Obama's speech on the Middle East on Thursday, Feltman outlined the U.S.'s position on the democratic changes sweeping across the region through clear and unwavering support for a set of core principles: opposition to the use of violence and repression; protection for universal rights including free speech, peaceful assembly, freedom of religion, equality for men and women; and support for political and economic change in the Middle East and North Africa that can meet the legitimate aspirations of people throughout the region.

He reconfirmed that the United States considers the make-up of Lebanon's government to be a strictly Lebanese decision and called on all parties in Lebanon to protect the government formation process from any external interference.

He expressed the United States' serious concern about the ongoing violence in Syria, condemning the Syrian government's continued use of violence and intimidation against the Syrian people.

Furthermore, he called upon the Syrian regime and its supporters to refrain from further acts of violence and other human rights abuses against Syrian citizens seeking to express their political aspirations.

Feltman conveyed the United States' concern about reports of Syrian civilians being forced to flee to safe haven inside Lebanon and called on the Lebanese government to work with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and other international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross to fulfill its obligations under international law to provide protection to Syrian citizens fleeing the violence in Syria.

He also noted the United States' concern about events on Lebanon's southern border on May 15, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong border security on all of Lebanon's borders in order to prevent incidents that increase tensions that can lead to casualties and negatively impact the security of the region.