U.S.: Cabinet Internal Matter, Obama”s Visit to Damascus Conditional on Non-interference in Lebanon
Washington has stressed that cabinet formation in Lebanon was an internal matter and U.S. President Barack Obama”s visit to Damascus is conditional on ending interference in Lebanon.
"They elected their MPs on their own and named their prime minister. That”s why they have to take the next step of government formation," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman said about the Lebanese people.
"Cabinet formation is an internal matter and we are sure that the Lebanese are able to do that for themselves and they don”t need our assistance or interference," he added.
On the decision to return the U.S. ambassador to Damascus, Feltman said that the move came as Obama seeks to achieve a comprehensive peace in the region.
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said Friday in the first official comment on Syrian President Bashar Assad”s announcement that he would be willing to meet Obama in Syria, that such a visit will not take place any time soon.
Steinberg, who made his comment during the Aspen Ideas Festival 2009, wondered how Obama would visit Damascus if Syria continues to provide Hizbullah with arms, supports Hamas and allows fighters to cross the border into Iraq.
He urged Syrians to stop interfering in Lebanon”s internal affairs although he admitted that meddling has lately decreased.
Asked by An Nahar daily”s correspondent about the new U.S. ambassador to Syria, Steinberg said that the decision to send the head of mission was taken by the White House and things now depend on his confirmation by the Senate.
Steinberg didn”t expect the ambassador to return before September.
Meanwhile, An Nahar quoted U.S. officials as saying that Assad was upset by Obama”s decision to renew economic sanctions on Syria.