Lebanon: Sleiman Meets with Obama

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman met with President Obama yesterday. Obama affirmed “we want to do everything we can to encourage a strong, independent and democratic Lebanon” while also expressing concerns over weapon smuggling. In addition, the two presidents discussed U.N. Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. Both Israel and Lebanon blame the other side for failing to implement the resolution’s measures. Sleiman also met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Biden.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hariri visited Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, discussing the need for enhanced bilateral ties. At the same time, The Daily Star reports that Lebanese politicians “flocked” to Syria to offer their condolences following the death of President Assad’s brother, Majd.

Finally, The Daily Star also summarizes the findings on Lebanon by a recent report by the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies report’s (see our post here). The report focuses on this year’s political stalemate, Lebanon’s freedom of assembly, and Lebanon’s ratification of the Optional Protocol of the U.N. Convention Against Torture.