Post by Janjoon-Lebanese on Dec 4, 2006 10:01:38 GMT -5
Foreign governments voice support for Siniora
04-12-06
BY: DAILY STAR
World powers voiced support for Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's Cabinet over the weekend as protests calling for the creation of a national unity government continued in Beirut. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed her full support, a statement issued by Siniora's press office said on Saturday. The statement said that the premier received a telephone call Saturday from Rice, who "emphasized the need for dialogue" to resolve current problems in Lebanon.
The statement also said that Siniora received telephone calls from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Saleh and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "in support of the premier's political stands."
Germany called on foreign powers Saturday to stay out of Lebanese affairs amid a mass protest led by opposition forces aimed at bringing down the Siniora government.
"Lebanon is going through a difficult period," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on arrival at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport ahead of meetings with Siniora and Speaker Nabih Berri. "My presence is a gesture of support for Lebanon's independence in the management of its affairs without foreign intervention," he added.
During a joint news conference Saturday with acting Foreign Minister Tarek Mitri following a meeting with Siniora, Steinmeier said that "Lebanon's different political forces should assume their duties because nobody has an interest in shaking the country's stability."
Steinmeier praised Siniora's role, arguing that the premier "is more appreciated on the international level than he is by his own country."
He also said the Cabinet "enjoys the support of Parliament's majority and should not be harmed by street protests."
Steinmeier asked the Syrian government to "promote its relations with Lebanon and preserve the country's independence and stability."
Visiting British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett also expressed support for Siniora Saturday, calling on Lebanon's factions to hold negotiations over their differences.
I reiterated the United Kingdom's support for Lebanon and to the Prime Minister Siniora," Beckett said in a statement. "We call on all parties to work together for the good of Lebanon, and to return to dialogue."
Beckett told journalists after meeting Siniora that "obviously the [Lebanese] government is facing difficulties."
It has showed considerable courage and steadfastness in the face of very serious obstacles," she said at a joint news conference with Mitri.
This is a government elected by the people of Lebanon and which has the constitutional authority an election gives it," she said, adding that she wanted to see Lebanon "return to being potent and independent democracy".
On arrival in Lebanon late Friday, Beckett visited former President Amin Gemayel to present her condolences over the November 21 assassination of his son, Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel.
She also reiterated Britain's backing for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which put an end to the July-August war with Israel.
"We made it clear that we want to see an end to [Israeli] overflights [of Lebanon], we want to see 1701 implemented," she said. "We want to see the government of Lebanon the only armed authority on its sovereign territory."
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi also voiced support for Siniora's Cabinet.
"Yesterday I talked to Siniora and I confirmed to him Italy's support," Prodi said Saturday during a conference on the Middle East organized by the Italian branch of the Aspen Institute. "I found him very motivated and determined to go on and resist intimidation."
Prodi said he also talked to Berri and urged him "to keep a constructive attitude."
Rome is the leading contributor to the UN peacekeeping force monitoring the cease-fire in South Lebanon, and is scheduled to assume command of the force from France in February.
Prodi said he is "worried by the latest developments," in remarks that came as hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters continue to flood Downtown Beirut in a demonstration calling on Siniora to resign.
Prodi also announced that Foreign Minister Massimo would make a visit to Beirut in the near future.
04-12-06
BY: DAILY STAR
World powers voiced support for Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's Cabinet over the weekend as protests calling for the creation of a national unity government continued in Beirut. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed her full support, a statement issued by Siniora's press office said on Saturday. The statement said that the premier received a telephone call Saturday from Rice, who "emphasized the need for dialogue" to resolve current problems in Lebanon.
The statement also said that Siniora received telephone calls from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Saleh and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "in support of the premier's political stands."
Germany called on foreign powers Saturday to stay out of Lebanese affairs amid a mass protest led by opposition forces aimed at bringing down the Siniora government.
"Lebanon is going through a difficult period," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on arrival at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport ahead of meetings with Siniora and Speaker Nabih Berri. "My presence is a gesture of support for Lebanon's independence in the management of its affairs without foreign intervention," he added.
During a joint news conference Saturday with acting Foreign Minister Tarek Mitri following a meeting with Siniora, Steinmeier said that "Lebanon's different political forces should assume their duties because nobody has an interest in shaking the country's stability."
Steinmeier praised Siniora's role, arguing that the premier "is more appreciated on the international level than he is by his own country."
He also said the Cabinet "enjoys the support of Parliament's majority and should not be harmed by street protests."
Steinmeier asked the Syrian government to "promote its relations with Lebanon and preserve the country's independence and stability."
Visiting British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett also expressed support for Siniora Saturday, calling on Lebanon's factions to hold negotiations over their differences.
I reiterated the United Kingdom's support for Lebanon and to the Prime Minister Siniora," Beckett said in a statement. "We call on all parties to work together for the good of Lebanon, and to return to dialogue."
Beckett told journalists after meeting Siniora that "obviously the [Lebanese] government is facing difficulties."
It has showed considerable courage and steadfastness in the face of very serious obstacles," she said at a joint news conference with Mitri.
This is a government elected by the people of Lebanon and which has the constitutional authority an election gives it," she said, adding that she wanted to see Lebanon "return to being potent and independent democracy".
On arrival in Lebanon late Friday, Beckett visited former President Amin Gemayel to present her condolences over the November 21 assassination of his son, Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel.
She also reiterated Britain's backing for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which put an end to the July-August war with Israel.
"We made it clear that we want to see an end to [Israeli] overflights [of Lebanon], we want to see 1701 implemented," she said. "We want to see the government of Lebanon the only armed authority on its sovereign territory."
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi also voiced support for Siniora's Cabinet.
"Yesterday I talked to Siniora and I confirmed to him Italy's support," Prodi said Saturday during a conference on the Middle East organized by the Italian branch of the Aspen Institute. "I found him very motivated and determined to go on and resist intimidation."
Prodi said he also talked to Berri and urged him "to keep a constructive attitude."
Rome is the leading contributor to the UN peacekeeping force monitoring the cease-fire in South Lebanon, and is scheduled to assume command of the force from France in February.
Prodi said he is "worried by the latest developments," in remarks that came as hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters continue to flood Downtown Beirut in a demonstration calling on Siniora to resign.
Prodi also announced that Foreign Minister Massimo would make a visit to Beirut in the near future.
