Israel at War Watch: Condoleezza Rice Meets with Lebanon Prime Minister in Beirut

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice , left, shakes hands with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, right, at the government house, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 24, 2006. Rice made a surprise visit to Lebanon to launch diplomatic efforts aimed at ending 13 days of fighting as Israeli ground forces pushed deeper into the country in heavy fighting with Hezbollah guerrillas.

AP: Rice Meets With Lebanon PM in Beirut

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora in Beirut on Monday in a show of support for that country’s weakened democracy, which is struggling to contain the fighting between the Hezbollah militia and Israel.

Rice’s unannounced stop in Lebanon was met warmly by Saniora, who greeted her with a kiss on both cheeks. Rice told him, “Thank you for your courage and steadfastness.”

Saniora told Rice he was glad to have her in Lebanon, adding that his government is looking to “put an end to the war that is being inflicted on Lebanon.” The two shook hands across a conference table on which there were two flags, one Lebanese and one American. Half a dozen other diplomats sat around the table.

Saniora and other Lebanese officials are expected to push Rice to call for an immediate cease-fire, something the Bush administration has resisted.

All for show…..

The real negotiations will be conducted with Damascus and Tehran.

The speed at which Condi goes about her business will indicate how successful military operations are in southern Lebanon.

Stay tuned for the usual international diplomatic bloviations.

Captain Ed: Rice: Lebanon Must Assert Sovereignty
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Israel at War Watch: Israel and United States Support NATO-led “Buffer” Force in Lebanon

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