U.S. Vice President in Beirut Soon to Convey Message of Support
U.S. President Barack Obama will dispatch his vice president to Lebanon at the end of this week to convey a message of support to President Michel Suleiman, media reports said.
The Central News Agency said Joe Biden will make a short visit to Lebanon to deliver the message, which presents the vision of the new U.S. administration regarding the peace process in the Middle East.
Biden will stay in Beirut for a few hours, during which he will meet with Suleiman and Premier Fouad Saniora, CNA said.
It added that the top U.S. official will discuss with Suleiman latest developments on the eve of the June 7 parliamentary elections.
Beirut media described the upcoming visit as part of U.S. efforts to declare support for Suleiman and state institutions.
Meanwhile, al-Mustaqbal newspaper quoted diplomatic sources as saying that Paris and Moscow have intensified contacts with Washington to try to find out its stance on the aftermath of the Lebanese polls.
European sides informed Russia before the contacts started with the U.S. that Moscow was right when it called for openness to Hizbullah and Hamas.
It was also right by announcing that Russia will recognize the results of the June 7 polls no matter what they were.
Although the U.S. stance is yet unclear, the sources said there are two things in common with the Europeans and Russia. First: Giving more support for President Suleiman and state institutions after the elections and counting on the ministerial statement.
Second: Continued commitment to U.N. Security Council resolutions and dialogue to solve the issue of illegitimate arms.