Congressional Team Meets Suleiman, Conveys U.S. Support for Arab Initiative
President Michel Suleiman met Thursday with a visiting U.S. congressional delegation headed by Congressman Russ Carnahan, who reiterated the American backing of an Arab initiative for peace in the Middle East.
The delegation relayed to Suleiman "a position adopted by both President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to put (the administration”s) weight behind the 2002 Arab peace initiative."
The meeting was attended by U.S. Ambassador Michele Sison.
Carnahan praised Suleiman”s "moderation" and said the new U.S. administration "was looking forward to working with him, especially on Middle East issues."
For his part, Suleiman highlighted the significance of the Arab initiative as "the only serious" proposal that is currently available to achieve a final settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
"On the long run, Israel has no interest in rejecting the Arab initiative. A solution must be reached as soon as possible," he said.
"A two-state solution is possible and is the only option," to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Suleiman pointed out.
Suleiman urged the United States to fulfill its role "as a superpower by establishing its political and diplomatic presence in the service of peace."
He said the international community had a responsibility to preserve "multiculturalism" in the Middle East.
Earlier, MP Abdul Latif el-Zein said told the delegation that the United States must push Israel”s new cabinet to abide by international agreements.
"The new U.S. administration should press this new extremist Israeli cabinet to commit to international agreements and resolutions, especially those dealing with regional peace, starting with the Annapolis agreement up to the Arab peace initiative," he said.
Zein was representing Speaker Nabi Berri at the meeting.
On the elections, Zein assured his visitors that the political leadership is adamant to see the polls take place in an atmosphere of democracy and transparency praising Suleiman”s efforts to re-establish stability in Lebanon.