Mitchell Could Include Lebanon in his Next Visit to the Region
U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell could visit Lebanon and Syria during his upcoming tour of the region, western diplomatic sources told al-Mustaqbal newspaper.
The sources said Mitchell would travel to the region "very soon" and could include Beirut and Damascus in his visit following the formation of the Lebanese national unity government.
The sources told al-Mustaqbal that by the time Mitchell arrives in Lebanon, the cabinet would have gotten the vote of confidence. This way, he would be informed about its political and economic plans and would put Lebanese officials in the picture of the latest U.S. plans on Mideast peace.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman had said that Washington was limiting visits to Beirut by top officials during the Lebanese government formation process to avoid accusations of interference in the country”s local affairs.
The envoy could also visit Syria for among other things facilitating the formation of the Lebanese cabinet, the sources told al-Mustaqbal.
Mitchell is expected to make another attempt to bring the Israeli and Palestinian sides back to the negotiating table. Last week, top Palestinian presidential adviser Yasser Abed Rabbo said he hopes Mitchell can bring about what he called "a real peace process" that would halt all settlement construction.