Rice: It is Time to Deal with Shebaa Farms Issue
Source: Al-Manar TV, 17-06-2006
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice concluded her surprise visit to Lebanon and left for Ireland after meeting with Lebanese officials. Rice made her unannounced visit n on Monday under tight security, as the country is in the process of forming a national unity government.
Rice first met Suleiman and told him Washington was very supportive of his presidency and his government, describing him as a "very fine man." Rice later moved to the Grand Serail where she met Prime Minister designate Fouad Saniora. The US Secretary of State said she has informed Saniora and President Suleiman that the United States hopes for a settlement to the occupied Shebaa Farms issue.
"The United States believes that the time has come to deal with the Shebaa Farms issue... in accordance with (UN Security Council Resolution) 1701," Rice said.
She told reporters Washington intends to press US Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to "lend his good offices" to resolve the dispute over sovereignty over the district at the meeting place of the borders between occupied Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.
"The secretary general should intensify his efforts," she said.
Rice's third stop was the Qoraitem Palace, the headquarters of Future Parliamentary bloc leader Saad Hariri. She met Hariri, former president and head of the Phalange Party Amin Gemayel and the leader of the Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc MP Walid Jumblatt. Following the meeting, Rice said she discussed Washington's support for the Lebanese Government and commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and stability in addition to its march towards democracy.
Her fourth stop was at the Ain el Tini Palace where she met with Speaker Nabih Berri. "It is up to the Lebanese to choose the composition of their government," Rice said after meeting with the Speaker. "We hope that the composition of the government proceeds and proceeds rapidly," she added.
According to the US Secretary, despite the group taking part in Lebanon's new government of national unity, Washington still considers Hizbullah a terrorist organization.
Rice rejected claims that the Doha deal was a slap in the face for US policy in the Middle East as it gave Hizbullah and its allies in the opposition more say in the new government.
"Obviously in any deal there are compromises," she said. "But this was an agreement that I think serves the interest of the Lebanese people and since it serves the interest of the Lebanese people, it serves the interest of the United States."
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice concluded her surprise visit to Lebanon and left for Ireland after meeting with Lebanese officials. Rice made her unannounced visit n on Monday under tight security, as the country is in the process of forming a national unity government.
Rice first met Suleiman and told him Washington was very supportive of his presidency and his government, describing him as a "very fine man." Rice later moved to the Grand Serail where she met Prime Minister designate Fouad Saniora. The US Secretary of State said she has informed Saniora and President Suleiman that the United States hopes for a settlement to the occupied Shebaa Farms issue.
"The United States believes that the time has come to deal with the Shebaa Farms issue... in accordance with (UN Security Council Resolution) 1701," Rice said.
She told reporters Washington intends to press US Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to "lend his good offices" to resolve the dispute over sovereignty over the district at the meeting place of the borders between occupied Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.
"The secretary general should intensify his efforts," she said.
Rice's third stop was the Qoraitem Palace, the headquarters of Future Parliamentary bloc leader Saad Hariri. She met Hariri, former president and head of the Phalange Party Amin Gemayel and the leader of the Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc MP Walid Jumblatt. Following the meeting, Rice said she discussed Washington's support for the Lebanese Government and commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and stability in addition to its march towards democracy.
Her fourth stop was at the Ain el Tini Palace where she met with Speaker Nabih Berri. "It is up to the Lebanese to choose the composition of their government," Rice said after meeting with the Speaker. "We hope that the composition of the government proceeds and proceeds rapidly," she added.
According to the US Secretary, despite the group taking part in Lebanon's new government of national unity, Washington still considers Hizbullah a terrorist organization.
Rice rejected claims that the Doha deal was a slap in the face for US policy in the Middle East as it gave Hizbullah and its allies in the opposition more say in the new government.
"Obviously in any deal there are compromises," she said. "But this was an agreement that I think serves the interest of the Lebanese people and since it serves the interest of the Lebanese people, it serves the interest of the United States."
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