U.S. delegation arrives with message of support
Two days after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice's surprise visit to the Lebanese capital, a U.S. Congress delegation arrived in Beirut expressing "U.S.A.'s support to the Lebanese people," a statement said.
The delegation, led by Curt Welden and including Solomon Ortiz, Silvestre Reyes, Nick Rahal, Mark Souder and Tom Cole, equally divided between Republicans and Democrats, first paid a visit to Beirut MP Saad Hariri.
During the meeting, Welden announced, without mentioning dates, that a Lebanese flag will be flown over the Capitol building to show American solidarity with the Lebanese in commemoration of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Welden said that during the delegation's short visit to the Middle East, it was important to stop in Lebanon to show that Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress agreed on supporting the Lebanese people, and Lebanon's stability and future.
He said that the congressmen supported U.S. President George W. Bush's and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's efforts to push the relationship between both countries to a stronger status.
"And when we are back, we will inform our fellow colleagues about the need to support the Lebanese government as soon as possible," he said.
Welden said the delegation's members were interested in Lebanon's independence, stability and freedom, adding that Ortiz and Rahal are of Lebanese origin.
When asked if the delegation would visit President Emile Lahoud, Welden replied by saying: "I guess that visiting Lahoud and the prime minister is on our agenda tomorrow, and we will visit other officials as well."
He said the American people did not wish to see any U.S. plans in Lebanon. "It is up to the Lebanese people ... They should decide what quality of life they want," he explained, adding that his country aimed at helping the Lebanese only.
Rahal said it was the first time a government was formed without Syrian hegemony, adding that the delegation was a way to express U.S. support to the Lebanese people's self-expression after the results of the parliamentary elections.
Regarding the relations with Hariri, "we always had good relations with Hariri dating back to his father's days and his father's efforts for Lebanon, and we would like to see him walking in his father's steps