Clinton, in Lebanon, Lends Support Before Election

[babylonsister]

Clinton, in Lebanon, Lends Support Before Election

By MARK LANDLER
Published: April 26, 2009

BEIRUT — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton touched down in Lebanon on Sunday for a lightning visit to express support for this fragile country, six weeks before a crucial parliamentary election in which the Islamic militant group, Hezbollah, is expected to make significant gains.

Wissam Hishmi/European Pressphoto Agency

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stood by a portrait of late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in downtown Beirut on Sunday as she visited his grave site.

While Mrs. Clinton said the choice of government was up to the Lebanese people, the United States, which classifies Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, clearly hopes to bolster the electoral prospects of the existing majority — a coalition of Sunni Muslim and Christian parties.

“It won’t surprise you to hear that I think moderation is important in the affairs of states,” Mrs. Clinton said after meeting the president, Michel Suleiman, a former head of the armed forces who stays above the political fray.

“We want to see a strong, independent, free, and sovereign Lebanon,” she said, noting that President Obama had sent Mr. Suleiman a letter expressing those sentiments. “This election will be, obviously, an important milestone.”

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/world/middleeast/27diplo.html?_r=1&hp

[pretzel4gore]

1. Billy is in Toronto, Candya, in May, to debate with the Youngster(!)

i think the question debated is 'if God has a belly button, is it a 'innie' or an 'outtie'?
Yall cannot believe this, i betcha

[polmaven]

2. What a ridiculous post.

Grow up, please.

[babylonsister]

3. I posted this because I didn't even know she went to Lebanon.

As for what you posted, haven't a clue. :shrug:

[Beacool]

4. Yep, she went to Lebanon after her trip to Iraq.

Hillary has been a busy bee, more abroad than at home.

:-)

Gee, the size of that pic behind her.......

:o

[Beacool]

5. And your point is????

:eyes:

[Beacool]

6. Interesting

The Obama administration’s diplomatic gambits may have yielded one practical benefit: on Mrs. Clinton’s flight from Kuwait to Beirut Sunday, her plane flew through Syrian airspace.

Her aides insisted the flight path was chosen by her pilots and simply reflected the fastest route. But on trips during the Bush administration, the secretary of state often took circuitous routes to avoid flying over Syria.

I guess things are improving with Syria if they allowed her plane to fly over their airspace.

;)