id: 153263
date: 5/9/2008 20:19
refid: 08BEIRUT642
origin: Embassy Beirut
classification: CONFIDENTIAL
destination: 08BEIRUT640
header:
VZCZCXRO0141
OO RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHLB #0642/01 1302019
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 092019Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1779
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2238
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2544
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

----------------- header ends ----------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000642

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR A/S SILVERBERG AND PDAS WARLICK
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/KUMAR/PHEE
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, PINR, ASEC, EAIR, CASC, SA, IR,
USUN, LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: GEAGEA PROPOSES ARAB PEACEKEEPERS; A
STRONG SINIORA IS PLANNING A TELEVISED ADDRESS SATURDAY

REF: BEIRUT 640

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

SUMMARY
--------

1. (C) Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, in a surprise
visit to the Embassy Friday night (May 9), stressed the
importance of strengthening Prime Minister Fouad Siniora,
Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Sleiman, and the
Siniora government. He mentioned the idea of an Arab
peacekeeping force in Lebanon, an idea which we underst粑nd
was first proposed by the Saudis. He also informed us that
he has between 7,000 to 10,000 fighters ready to be
mobilized, adding that they would need weapons. Mohammed
Chatah, senior advisor to PM Siniora, said the PM and other
GOL leadership at the Grand Serail remain strong, and Siniora
was planning on a televised address the following day, May
10. End summary.

GOL MUST BE PROTECTED
---------------------

2. (C) Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, accompanied by
advisor Elie Khoury, made a surprise visit at 2030 on May 9
to the Embassy, immediately following the five-hour meeting
with 50 members of March 14 at his residence (reftel). The
Charge told Geagea that the March 14 declaration was very
good. Geagea reported that March 14 sent a delegation to
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and another, led by his wife, MP
Setrida Geagea, to Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander
Michel Sleiman. Geagea said the latter delegation was blunt
in delivering the message to Sleiman. The delegation
implored General Sleiman to ensure the security of the Grand
Serail, where Prime Minister Siniora lives and works, and the
residences of all of the key political figures. If these
institutions and their leaders stand fast, he said, we will
win this round. The Charge concurred, saying that the Grand
Serail in particular is a national symbol as well as a place
of business.

3. (C) Geagea confirmed that Hizballah was pressuring PM
Siniora to resign, but that while some of Siniora's (unnamed)
advisors reportedly were contemplating the option earlier
this morning, the PM is refusing. He added that Saad, who he
noted is "keeping very strong," also opposed a resignation
from Siniora. Geagea requested the Charge to put a great
deal of pressure on Sleiman and to back Siniora up "all the
way." He also suggested the Charge talk to Saad and March
14/Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt to "keep
their spirits high."

ARAB PEACEKEEPING FORCE
WOULD STRENGTHEN GOL
-----------------------

4. (C) Geagea proposed requesting friendly Arab countries to
dispatch an Arab peacekeeping force to Lebanon. He
recommended lobbying Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia,
and other countries supportive of Lebanon, to agree to send
troops. He estimated that 5,000 troops would be sufficient.
Geagea said that such a force would be a practical way to
strengthen the Siniora government. If the Arab countries
agree to send a peacekeeping force, Geagea said, "Hizballah
will be in trouble. It will be a victory, even if the Arab
troops don't wind up coming." He added that a UN or EU force
were not good options.

5. (C) Geagea then asked to speak privately to the Charge.
It was important for everyone to push the LAF to do its job,
said Geagea. However, he wasn't sure that the army would
succeed. If the army failed to protect Christian areas,
Geagea said he wanted to make sure Washington knows he has
between 7,000 and 10,000 well-trained Lebanese Forces
fighters who could be mobilized. "We can fight against
Hizballah," he stated with confidence, adding, "We just need
your support to get arms for these fighters. If the airport
is still closed, amphibious deliveries could be facilitated."

BEIRUT 00000642 002 OF 002

The Charge assured Geagea that the U.S. was encouraging
Sleiman and the LAF to protect state institutions and the
citizens of Lebanon. (Note: At 2315, Geagea telephoned the
Charge to relay that his morale had been boosted by a
telephone call from NEA A/S Welch. End note.)

STILL STRONG PM SINIORA WILL
MAKE TELEVISED ADDRESS MAY 10
-----------------------------

6. (C) The Charge spoke to senior advisor to Prime Minister
Siniora, Mohammed Chatah, at 2045. Chatah said the PM's
spirits had been boosted by the Secretay's telephone call to
him this evening. His moo was good, he noted, and the GOL
officials also t the Grand Serail tonight were feeling
strong. The Charge asked whether the fact that Siniora had
been absent from the public eye had bee粑 a planned strategy
or whether he was intending to engage publicly. Chatah
replied that several ideas had come forward over the last 48
hours, including the possibility for a televised appearance.
Siniora plans to address the nation on television on
Saturday, May 10.

7. (C) Chatah commented that the idea of an Arab peacekeeping
force had been put on the table by the Saudis. Siniora had
not weighed in one way or the other, he added. When asked if
Acting Foreign Minister Tareq Mitri was planning (or would
even be able to attend) the Arab League foreign ministers'
meeting scheduled for the upcoming weekend, Chatah said that
Mitri's attendance had been discussed, but there had been no
final decision made. Chatah also said that there had been
some discussion at the Serail among the GOL leadership about
the possibility of expanding the reach of UNIFIL under UN
Security Council resolution 1701.
SISON

=======================CABLE ENDS============================

Source : Al Akhbar Newspaper