U.S. Official: Murr to Washington To Discuss Type of Military Assistance
U.S. officials have been keen to highlight their country”s interest in working with Lebanon in an effort to strengthen public institutions and build peace and stability in Lebanon and the region.
A high-ranking official at the White House told daily As-Safir in remarks published Tuesday that Defense Minister Elias Murr will visit Washington early in 2010 to follow-up on the issue of U.S. military assistance to Lebanon and discuss specifically what type of assistance Lebanon should expect.
A U.S. official, meanwhile, reiterated in comments published by pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat the calls made by the international community "which clearly stress the responsibility of the Lebanese state in monopolizing the defense and security of Lebanon."
He called on the Lebanese government to assume sole authority over its territories.
The official stressed there will be no deals at Lebanon”s expense, pointing out that the U.S. Administration "will be continue to work with its partners and through the Security Council to press for the implementation of all Security Council resolutions related to Lebanon."
He said the Israeli government was mulling the issue of withdrawal from the border town of Ghajar.