29 Mar 2024
Wednesday 9 November 2016 - 11:19
Story Code : 238423

Toner: US not concerned about Zarifs visit to Lebanon

IRNA The US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner said the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Lebanon and his meeting with President Michel Aoun was nothing of concern for America.


During his press briefing on Monday, he said, Were not going to necessarily look at this one visit in isolation as some kind of indication of how the new president and new government and new prime minister are going to conduct their government. Again, were looking to them to form a new government. There is a great need, as weve all seen. Theres its a challenging political environment in Lebanon. We want to see stability returned there, basic services be guaranteed.

He stressed, So I dont want to take this one visit in isolation and use it to make some sort of decision about where we see this government headed.

He also provided a No answer to a question whether So youre but youre not concerned by it? Is that thats the bottom line?

Commenting on the question whether a Lebanese Government that tilts towards Iran, you dont see as a problem?, he said No, I mean, were aware, obviously weve acknowledged the fact that Hizballah supported this government or Aoun. But we said were not going to make any decisions other than what we see him and his new government conducting themselves.

A reporter asked him, So broadly speaking, youre not concerned that Iran might have more influence in Lebanon at the expense of probably your good ally, Saudi Arabia, in Lebanon. Do you?

Toner answered, Again, I think Id make the distinction between being aware and thats what I just was trying to say of that element, but not overly concerned. And again, I think what were potentially pleased to see is some kind of stable governance returned to Lebanon again, a place that has struggled, lets be honest, in the last year or so with providing basic services, basic security. So as much as they can restore that stability to Lebanon, wed be happy.

The questions posed to Toner referred to Zarifs visit to Lebanon as the first high-ranking foreign official to visit the country after the election of Michel Aoun as president after a long period of political standoff.
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