Speculation over US Stance on Lebanon

While its relationship with Syria shows signs of improving, the United States has a different attitude toward Lebanon’s March 14 Movement, reported pro-government newspaper Al-Watan.



The newspaper quoted an unnamed Syrian source as saying that while the US might say it supports the anti-Syrian coalition – which holds a slim majority in the Lebanese parliament – its real aim is to focus on strengthening bilateral ties with Damascus.



On March 6, senior American diplomat and former US ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman visited Beirut. There, he met with top Lebanese officials in an apparent attempt to reassure them that Washington does not intend to improve ties with Damascus at the expense of its relations with Beirut.



“Even when the US diplomatic delegation visited [the Lebanese capital] the focus remained on Syria,” said the source, in the piece published on March 8.



Marking the fourth anniversary of the Hariri assassination, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued statements in support of Lebanese sovereignty. The administration also pledged an additional 6 million US dollars in funding for the international tribunal to try those suspected of the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.



But in a sign that Syrian relations are also important to the new US administration, Feltman travelled to Damascus on March 7, where he said he had “very constructive” talks with Syrian officials.