Presidential Reassurances Ahead of Suleiman”s Visit to Washington Seek to Ward off Criticism
President Michel Suleiman traveled to Washington on Saturday for talks with his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama amid criticism by pro-Syrian forces on the objectives of his visit.
An Nahar daily quoted sources from the president”s delegation as saying that Suleiman is convinced about the need to hold talks with the Obama administration, particularly that Lebanon has issues that it should defend including rejection to naturalize Palestinian refugees, Security Council resolution 1559 and discussing Hizbullah”s arms on the national dialogue table.
Political sources questioned why Suleiman”s visit would face criticism. They told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat the president”s agenda is clear and Suleiman has discussed his trip with Syrian President Bashar Assad during their last talks in Damascus.
The sources denied that the Vatican convinced Obama to meet with Suleiman saying U.S. Vice President Joe Biden informed the Lebanese president during his visit to Beirut that Obama wants to hold talks with him soon.
The sources added that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had reiterated such a desire by Obama and finally Lebanon”s ambassador to Washington delivered the official U.S. invitation to Suleiman.
Suleiman meets Obama on Monday. Al-Hayat”s sources said Suleiman will stress that Lebanon doesn”t accept any solution at its expense and will urge the U.S. to withdraw resolution 1559 from circulation because the Lebanese cabinet”s policy statement clearly states that the issue of Hizbullah arms would be discussed on the national dialogue table as part of discussions on the country”s defense strategy.
The president will also stress Lebanon”s rejection to naturalize Palestinians and will discuss U.S. military aid to Lebanon, the sources added.