U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Levine, arrived in Beirut as part of her Middle Eastern tour and met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for about an hour at the Second Presidency in Ain el-Tineh. Sources accompanying the meeting described it as good.
During her meeting with Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib, they reviewed the transformations in the region, particularly concerning the Saudi-Iranian agreement and its implications for Yemen and Syria. The U.S. diplomat then moved to the home of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who hosted the delegation for an iftar meal. Discussions centered on current conditions in Lebanon, bilateral relations, and the outcomes of Levine's tour of several countries in the region.
Regarding the Lebanese situation, it appears that the positions communicated to the Lebanese parties during the visit are linked to what the Lebanese heard the day prior from the head of the International Monetary Fund mission, Ernesto Rigo, who described the situation in Lebanon as "extremely dangerous." Consequently, informed sources placed the visit within the framework of urging political forces to elect a president who would implement the reforms required by the international community; otherwise, the worst will await Lebanon.
According to the same sources, the Americans have no specific candidate and do not impose a "veto" on any name. All they want from whoever assumes the presidency is to develop an economic and financial rescue plan.
However, the question that remained unanswered was the issue of Syrian refugees, as indicated by private sources to "Warda." Contrary to what has been rumored in recent days, the visit to Lebanon was originally included in the agenda of the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State.
