New York, 21 September 2022 (TDI): United States Secretary of State, Antoney Blinken met with Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati on the sidelines of the UNGA 77th session.
Productive meeting with Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister @Najib_Mikati at #UNGA. We discussed the need for a timely presidential election and the urgency to implement reforms to support the people of Lebanon. The U.S. will continue to work with Lebanon for peace and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/mQmFgT7dAq
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 21, 2022
Both leaders discussed the need for a timely presidential election and the urgency to implement reforms to support the people of Lebanon. The Secretary of State affirmed that the US will continue to work with Lebanon for peace and prosperity.
U.S. Assistance to Lebanon
Since 2006, the United States has contributed $5.55 billion in total foreign assistance. The United States has specifically committed more than $3 billion in aid to meet economic support and security requirements.
Also read: USAID, WFP provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon
Aid financing has supported programs that foster economic growth, employability, and productivity of the labor force, good governance, and social cohesion.
This help has also facilitated access to clean water and enhanced education services for Lebanese communities.
Since 2006, the United States has also supplied more than $2.5 billion in bilateral security aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as Lebanon’s principal security partner.
The U.S. aid bolsters the LAF’s capacity to secure its borders, combat internal threats, and establish that it is the sole legitimate defender of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Since the beginning of the Syrian conflict, the US has donated more than $2.9 billion in humanitarian assistance to Lebanon.
U.S. humanitarian aid has provided a variety of basic needs, including food, shelter, medical care, clean water and sanitation, education, and psychological support, for Syrian refugees and host communities.
Apart from this, the United States also aspires to assist Lebanon in maintaining its autonomy, sovereignty, national unity, stability, and territorial integrity.
Along with the international community, the United States supports the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
It also aims to implement the disarmament of all militias, the delineation of the Lebanon-Syria border, and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) throughout the state.
The United States believes that a peaceful, prosperous, and stable Lebanon will contribute significantly to a comprehensive Middle East peace.
