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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.”

February 12, 2018. The American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL), an organization of prominent Lebanese-Americans who support strong US-Lebanon relations, is gravely concerned with the recent escalation in tensions between Syria, Iran, and Israel as a result of the shooting down of an alleged Iranian drone over Israel and its response targeting the drone’s command center in Syria manned by Iranian personnel. This bombing, and the subsequent attack against a Syrian airbase following the downing of an Israeli F-16, represents the first direct engagement between Syria and Israel since 1982.

Bellicose statements have been issued by all sides of the conflict, each defending their behavior and questioning the other parties’ version of events. Regardless of the sequence of events, the reality is that tensions among the parties are once again threatening the Lebanese as well as Israeli and Syrian civilian populations who are the first casualties of the saber-rattling.

As Heather Nauert, a State Department spokeswoman said this weekend, “Iran’s calculated escalation of threat, and its ambition to project its power and dominance, places all the people of the region — from Yemen to Lebanon — at risk.”

The ATFL firmly supports Lebanon’s policy of dissociation, wherein it is determined to avoid becoming entangled in any conflicts in the region, and calls on all parties to firmly commit to avoiding provocations and responses that threaten civilian populations and escalate military confrontation. With the decreasing threat from ISIS and the continued desperate conditions for Syrian refugees throughout the region, steps should focus on reducing threats and encouraging conditions that allow for the safe return of the refugees and the reconstruction of Syria.

The ATFL is especially hopeful that during his visit to the region, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will reinforce the need for caution and diplomacy.

ATFL Strongly Supports Lebanon’s Policy of Dissociation and Encourages Full Support and Implementation to Safeguard Lebanon’s Independence and Stability.

The American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL), an independent US nonprofit organization made up of Americans of Lebanese descent committed to strong and enduring US-Lebanon relations, reiterates its support for the government of Lebanon’s stated policy of dissociation, whereby all parties agreed in 2012 and which was reiterated in the inaugural speech of President Michel Aoun, to avoid participating in regional conflicts. 

The recent turmoil in Lebanon demonstrates the difficulty of reaching concerted action to implement dissociation; however, UN Resolution 1701, which was agreed to by all parties, clearly envisions a Lebanon in which internal security is the sole responsibility of the government. ATFL again calls for all parties to adhere to the resolution and fully respect the role of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and security services to provide security and stability throughout the country and on its borders. 

The ATFL strongly believes that only the government of Lebanon can legitimately represent the country’s relations in the region and internationally; so it is vital that the government and its representatives are the sole parties carrying on political and diplomatic relations with other countries.  

The LAF is growing more capable and ready, as it has demonstrated, to ensure Lebanon’s security. Its responsibility must be honored by all parties so that the Lebanese government can fully carry out its leadership responsibilities in the economic, social, and political development of the country. 

The ATFL calls on all governments in the region as well as Lebanon’s friends in the West to support dissociation and continue to provide Lebanon with the support it needs to function effectively on behalf of the people and institutions of Lebanon.