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Beirut – The US embassy in Lebanon had to issue a notice explaining what US Undersecretary of State David Schenker said during his meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, where he said Schenker urged President Aoun to use the sword of transparency “figuratively”, and did not mean any courtesy.
In a statement, the spokesman for the US embassy in Beirut, Casey Bonfield, said that Schenker referred to the sword hanging in President Aoun’s office, which was written on it: Transparency is the sword that eliminates corruption. Commenting on the phrase, Schenker urged President Aoun to use the sword of transparency (metaphorically) to change the approach to governance.
The Baabda Palace statement indicated that Schenker “praised the positive role that President Aoun plays in leading the anti-corruption march and changing the approach that prevailed in the past, considering that the reforms in Lebanon are essential, especially since there is no difference between politics and economics “.
Lebanese political circles saw in the words of the spokesman for the US embassy a clear denial of the statement issued by the Republican Palace, denying the existence of any intention of Schenker to polish the image of Michel Aoun and show it in the form of those who work to fight corruption.
Schenker arrived in Beirut last Wednesday to participate in the opening of the Lebanese-Israeli negotiations on the demarcation of the maritime borders. The US official was expected to leave Beirut for Rabat immediately after the opening session of the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, but decided to stay in Lebanon for other days to hold talks with politicians and activists in the political field, who listened to his points. of view and opinions.
Shenker had several meetings with Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri. He also met with Lebanese politicians, including Saad Hariri, Walid Jumblatt, Samir Geagea, Suleiman Franjieh, and the Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rai.
Lebanese political sources said Schenker emphasized to Lebanese officials that it is in his country’s interest to continue negotiations to demarcate maritime borders with Israel.
In this regard, he indicated that Lebanon has an interest in this, given that an agreement with Israel to demarcate the borders could help it in the future to obtain financial income from gas wells in the sea between the two countries, and to address its economic crisis.
These sources revealed that Schenker assured the Lebanese officials he met with that Lebanon remains important to the United States and that he will work for the success of the negotiations between him and Israel.
