Category: Statements & Announcements

Washington, DC, December 16, 2019 (ATFL) – Last week, the International Support Group (ISG) for Lebanon met in Paris to review the challenging economic and political situation in Lebanon. In its final statement, the ISG expressed its concern that “preserving Lebanon’s stability, unity, security, sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity requires the urgent formation of an effective and credible government capable to meet the aspirations expressed by all the Lebanese that will have the capacity and credibility to deliver the necessary substantive policy package of economic reforms, and that will be committed to dissociate the country from regional tensions and crisis. It is urgent for the new government to be in place as quickly as possible.”
 
The ISG also noted that the country’s economy was at risk of unraveling and urgently needed a “substantial, credible, and comprehensive policy package of economic reforms to restore fiscal balance and financial stability and address long-lasting structural deficiencies in the Lebanese economy.” The statement mentioned that “These measures are of utmost importance to bring answers to the aspirations expressed by the Lebanese people,” adding the importance of a safety net to protect those who are suffering severe economic dislocation.
 
The ISG calls for a new government committed to a reform agenda in the 2020 national budget. Specific recommended steps are the passage of laws to promote transparency and counter corruption, fiscal policy reforms, implementation of regulations to deal with the “long-lasting deficiencies in the Lebanese economy,” measures to tackle debt and tax collection, setting up independent regulatory bodies, effective implementation of transparent procurement laws and reform of state-owned enterprises, beginning with the electricity sector.
 
Regarding the commitments of the CEDRE donors, the ISG called on the Lebanese government to immediately put in place the mechanisms needed to implement the approved projects “in line with the people’s needs and expectations.” A key caveat is that international support is contingent on concrete and rapid implementation of measures addressed in the statement.
 
Importantly, the ISG statement commended the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces “for their actions in securing the peaceful character of the protests and the rights of the citizens more broadly,” adding that “The Group reiterates that the right to peaceful protest must continue to be respected and call on all sides to act responsibly.”
 
As MP Yassin Jaber, the head of the Lebanese parliament’s foreign affairs committee said, the ISG conference delivered a clear message. “They have basically told us, ‘we still have you in mind, but please, for heaven’s sake, let us help you by you helping yourselves.’”
 
 
ATFL Perspective
Since the beginning of the demonstrations and in our report after visiting Lebanon this past summer, ATFL has called on the Lebanese government to adopt economic, social, and political policies that strengthen society and the economic well-being of its citizens. The points raised by the ISG are a critical to-do list for the government, starting with the formation of a government to oversee the restructuring and revamping of policies and projects.
 
The impoverishment of many people in Lebanon, now over half living in poverty, is a crisis that cannot be ignored. Actions must be taken in short order that directly address needs in sanitation, water resources, power, telecommunications, and adequate stocks of food, medicine, and fuel. ATFL calls on international aid agencies to prioritize programs that provide emergency food and other vital supplies to the Lebanese people.
 
We commend the demonstrators and the LAF and ISF for the largely peaceful nature of the protests, which are remarkable, cutting across all sects, ages, and regions of Lebanon. And we support the ISG’s statement calling for a government that is “committed to dissociate the country from regional tensions and crisis,” which are a diversion from the first priority of the country – the well-being of its people, a free society, and competent governance at all levels.
 
This past weekend’s troubling protests and reactions by the security forces demonstrate that the longer the stalemate remains the potential for violence increases. The postponement once again of the vote for Prime Minister is a clear indicator that change, significant change, in the leadership must be authentic and durable.
 
ATFL remains committed to ensuring that Lebanon’s relationship with the US remains a priority and that the US remains an active partner in safeguarding and enhancing the lives of the Lebanese people.

[i] The ISG is co-chaired by France and the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon. Attending the meeting were China, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Kuwait, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the European Union, the International Monetary Fund, the League of Arab States, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and a delegation from the Lebanese government.

Washington, DC, October 30, 2019 (ATFL) – Given the urgent need to form a new government responsive to the aspirations of the people of Lebanon, ATFL calls on the political, civil society, and business leaders to work together in the formation of a new government committed to meet the needs of its citizens. Such an effort must efficiently and effectively carry out reform policies to reduce corruption, protect the country’s sovereignty through support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and immediately begin to transparently implement fiscal, economic, political, and social reforms based on a national dialogue representing all interests of the country.

Most importantly, we call on the government, and especially the Armed Forces and security services, to protect the rights of the citizens and ensure they can express themselves without fear of reprisal.

Washington, DC, October 28, 2019 (ATFL) – As demonstrations continue for the second week in Lebanon there appears to be no consensus in the government to address key economic, fiscal, and political issues. The American Task Force for Lebanon (AFTL) reiterates its call for the Lebanese government and its allies to respect the civil and human rights of the demonstrators, eschewing violent responses, begin a comprehensive and inclusive national dialogue, and take concrete, immediate steps to address its political crisis and the impeding financial emergency due to a lack of liquidity in the banking system.
 
The government’s inability to seriously address needed reforms, the need for transparency in its governance, and a lack of commitment to reforms at all levels has only increased instability and further weakened the country’s economic and political integrity.
 
As we have said before, we believe it is critical for the government of Lebanon to recognize the underlying conditions that have generated the demonstrations taking place and the need to immediately address those conditions and concerns in order to peacefully find resolution in concert with the needs of the Lebanese citizens.
 
Most immediately, the United States government and other friends of Lebanon should prioritize infusions of capital into the banking system, under international controls, to avoid its massive failure which would significantly harm the Lebanese people.
 
ATFL calls on Lebanon’s leaders to take immediate steps to implement in good faith a dialogue regarding all of the reforms being raised, in a serious and trustworthy fashion with the people. Lebanon’s future as an independent, multi-sectarian, democratic state is at stake. The time for action, dialogue, and collaboration on workable solutions in the immediate and long term is now.

Washington, DC, September 03, 2019 (ATFL) – The American Task Force for Lebanon (AFTL), a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese heritage, calls upon the United States to exert its leadership to bring about a speedy détente between Israel and Lebanon following recent cross-border incidents. Political voices on both sides are abetting an escalation that is in neither country’s interests. The US is the only country that has influence with both parties as well as long-term interests in the stability and security of both.
 
It is telling that Russia is already asserting its ties with Israel and Lebanon to supplant America’s traditional role in the region. The ATFL believes that it would be a mistake for the US to refrain from public and private communications to restore calm and stability in an area that is too often at the mercy of mercurial local leaders driven by narrow political agendas.
 
The US government should speak forcefully to remind Lebanese officials to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and enable the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to do its job as the sole guarantor of the country’s security, consistent with the recent Security Council statement renewing the UNIFIL mandate. 
 
The US government should also speak forcefully to Israel to stop its provocative actions, including overflights of drones and aircraft in clear violation of Lebanese airspace and its sovereignty, and cease steps that jeopardize US mediation of the land and sea boundaries between Lebanon and Israel. Lebanon’s stability and peace in the region should not be subject to considerations driven by political rather than legitimate security needs.
 
ATFL further calls on Hezbollah and Lebanese political leaders to refrain from statements encouraging actions that undercut Lebanon’s sovereignty and the role of the LAF, and that they should focus on counseling restraint among their friends in the region who are endangering Lebanon through their actions.
 
It is only by solidly supporting the LAF, leveraging the Lebanese government to act as the voice of all the Lebanese people, and reminding Israel that disproportionate responses may lead to ‘unintended consequences’ that make a catastrophic conflict inevitable, that the US can once again demonstrate its leadership and commitment to the security and stability of all of its friends in the region.

Washington, DC, August 28, 2019 (ATFL) – The American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL), a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese heritage, today released a statement expressing its concern over drone attacks that struck Beirut this past weekend.
 
This violation of Lebanese sovereignty represents a clear provocation that could bring about deterioration of the current political status quo in the country, an outcome that does not serve the security needs of Lebanon or any of its neighbors. Quite the contrary, it undermines the current stability in the southern area, which is a result of Lebanon’s cooperation with UN forces. It is critical that all parties avoid actions that undercut the need for constructive steps to implement UN resolution 1701, which vest security in the country solely in the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Over the past year, analysts and officials have warned that a wider war may occur in the region due to “unintended consequences” rather than a strategic decision by any of the parties. In this light, Israel’s continued violations of Lebanese airspace, rather than supporting its security needs, may, in fact, have the effect of damaging Lebanon, one of the closest friends of the US in the region, and lead to counteractions that put Israeli citizens at risk.
 
The ATFL calls on the Lebanese government to not be provoked into any precipitous actions and instead call, as it has done, for the United States and the United Nations to use their good offices to reduce the threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Rather than heighten the likelihood of increased levels of conflict and engagement, all parties should work to reduce conditions that would result in greater threats and conflict that further destabilize Lebanon and the region. It is imperative that the source of the attack be discovered and the ATFL calls on Hezbollah to share the drone remnants with the LAF for a full investigation.
 
Finally, ATFL supports the international consensus that the Lebanese government should be supported in its efforts to fully implement UNSC Resolution 1701 by ensuring that the Lebanese Armed Forces continue to be strengthened in order to control all force capabilities within the country.

Washington, DC, September 27, 2018 (ATFL) – Following up on a visit with President Michel Aoun in June, Board Members of the American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL), including ATFL President Ambassador Edward Gabriel (ret.) and Executive Director Leslie Touma, met in New York City where the Lebanese delegation is attending the start of the UN General Assembly annual meetings.

President Aoun was joined in the meeting by acting Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, Lebanon’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, HE Dr. Amal Mudallali, HE Gabriel Issa, Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United States, and Mireille Aoun Hachem, Advisor to the President.

The discussion included concerns regarding the health of the Lebanese economy, modalities for Syrian refugee repatriation, Russian attempts to build stronger military ties with Lebanon, the importance of US military and foreign assistance, and the need for stronger US leadership in the region.

President Aoun expressed his concern that there are some analysts who confuse politics and the economy, without clearly understanding how regional issues, such as the strain of supporting so many refugees, impact the country’s budget, economy, and social welfare. Acting Minister Bassil noted that the elimination of US foreign assistance to the UNWRA for its work supporting Palestinian refugees is an additional strain on Lebanon and destabilizing the region.

Both officials mentioned that Lebanon is ready to work with the United States and the UN to develop modalities for enabling the Syrian refugees to return home in a safe and voluntary process. President Aoun will reiterate these points in his address to the General Assembly.

Ambassador Gabriel expressed ATFL’s commitment to continuing to work on behalf of good relations between the US and Lebanon, including educating American policy makers on the regional challenges affecting the economic, political, and social situation in Lebanon, as well as working with the Lebanese government to encourage policies that strengthen the Lebanese economy and promote investments in the country.

Washington, D.C., February 16, 2018 (ATFL) – During his stopover in Lebanon yesterday on a five-country trip to the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reassured Lebanon of US support for its independence and called on Israel and Lebanon to engage in diplomacy to settle their ongoing border dispute. The two countries have been engaged in an exchange of charges regarding Israel’s recent project to build a wall on its northern border with Lebanon. This has implications for their shared maritime boundary, which demarcates offshore areas with highly probable gas and oil resources. Both countries claim overlapping areas.

At his press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Secretary Tillerson said, “We’ve asked no one to give up anything. Rather, we’re looking for a solution. Let’s get the border agreed first and then people can think about if they need a security wall or not at that point.” Mr. Hariri said that Lebanon will uphold its position on the border issues. “What is ours is ours and what is Israel’s is Israel’s. We are trying to find solutions that will be fair to us and fair to everyone.”

In his meeting with Lebanese President Aoun, Secretary Tillerson raised concerns that Hezbollah’s military activities in several countries were undermining stability in the region and would result in negative consequences for Lebanon. Regarding recent US legislation targeting Hezbollah’s financial network, President Aoun noted that some of these sanctions have hurt Lebanon’s economy and thrown off potential investors. He also noted that the US reduction in aid to UNRWA from $264 million to $60 million will gravely affect Lebanon’s ability to deal with the Syrian refugee crisis.

In his note in the visitors’ book, Secretary Tillerson said that the United States will “stand with the Lebanese people for a free and democratic Lebanon,” and confirmed America’s “continued support for the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces.”

Ambassador Edward M. Gabriel, President of the American Task Force for Lebanon, a leadership group of Lebanese-Americans who support strong US-Lebanon ties noted, “We welcome Secretary Tillerson’s support” and said, “Without a comprehensive strategy for the region that commits the United States to proactive policies that support our interests and our allies, the United States risks its larger role of global leadership, a goal that can’t be attained without thoughtful and credible engagement.”