30 November 2006
BEIRUT: A high-level US congressional delegation visited Prime Minister Fouad Siniora at the Grand Serail on Wednesday. The meeting, which discussed recent developments on the Lebanese scene and in the region was also attended by the US ambassador to Lebanon, Jeffrey Feltman.
The delegation consisted of Representative Daryl Issa and outgoing House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Chairman Pete Hoekstra,
Following the meeting, Hoekstra told reporters that the participants "spoke lengthily with Premier Siniora and the meeting was quite a constructive one."
"We came here to show our full support to the increasingly flourishing democracy in Lebanon," Hoekstra added.
The congressman said that Lebanon and the United States have long been allies, and that he hoped bilateral ties between the two countries would strengthen even more.
"We are here to survey the aspirations and dreams of the Lebanese because we look forward to seeing Lebanon prosper and expand," said Hoekstra.
The US delegation also visited MP Walid Jumblatt in Mukhtara, where issues of interest to Lebanon were "thoroughly discussed," according to a statement Wednesday.
Hoekstra refused to provide any further comments after the meeting with Jumblatt. The delegation also met with Defense Minister Elias Murr later Wednesday. - The Daily Star
