EU, US worries about stability in Lebanon
Catherine Ashton with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikat (AFP)
On 23 October, Catherine Ashton EU foreign policy head, expressed her concern on Lebanon’s political stability. Moreover, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in Washington, that US doesn’t want to see a power vacuum in the country.
Ashton visited Lebanon yesterday and met with the Prime Minister and the President of the nation, to discuss about the political stability in the country, in fear of a spill-over effect in the region.
On 22 October, violent clashes between police and demonstrators took place caused by the death of Wissam al-Hassan, Lebanon Security chief. Al-Hassan, was known for his efforts to weaken the Syrian regime. Most of the protestors demanded the resignation of Najib Mikati, Lebanese Prime Minister, because of his neutral stand towards Syria.
Following a meeting with Mikati, Ashton commented, “there are some who are trying to divert attention from the situation in the region by causing problems in Lebanon…we commend Mikati’s stance aimed at protecting Lebanon’s cohesion and its unity amid these difficult circumstances.”
On 20 October, Mikati offered his resignation to Lebanon’s President Michel Suleiman. However, the ex-General asked to withhold his decision until consultations with the National Dialogue Committee for forming a new government coalition ends.
Nuland commented on the coalition efforts, “we support the efforts of President Michel Suleiman and other responsible leaders in Lebanon to build an effective government and to take necessary steps in the wake of terrorists attack…it’s up to the Lebanese people to choose a government that is going to counter this threat.”
US will send an FBI team to Lebanon in order to help with the investigations of the bombing attacks on 19 October. new europe
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