Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit to Lebanon Friday. While in Beirut, she placed a wreath on the grave of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. It was Hariri's assassination in February that led to the downfall of the pro-Syrian government. International pressure after the murder of Hariri led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon after nearly 30 years of occupation.
Rice also met with Sa'ad Hariri, the son of the slain former prime minister. Sa'ad Hariri now leads one of the largest blocs in the assembly of the new government and has vowed to carry on his father's work.
On the plane ride to Lebanon, Rice told reporters, 'This will be an opportunity, first of all, to congratulate the Lebanese people on their incredible desire for democracy and the fact that they keep pressing forward and now formed a government.'
After meeting with Hariri at his family compound, Rice met with President Emile Lahoud and Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh at the presidential palace in Beirut. The meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes.
'I look forward to meeting with some members of the government to see how the international community and the U.S. in particular can be supportive,' Rice said.
According to a senior official at the State Department, debt relief was one key issue she would discuss with Lebanese leaders. Lebanon's debt was estimated to be more than $35 billion as of the end of this May.
Prior to her visit to Lebanon, Rice visited Israel to show support for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's planned unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Rice met with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom and reiterated the American belief that all parties in the peace process must remain dedicated to a final peace agreement.
'I look forward to talking with both the Israelis and the Palestinians about the need for tight coordination and rapid resolution of key issues that are before the parties in advance of the disengagement,' Rice said.
This Saturday, Rice is scheduled to meet with leaders of the Palestinian Authority.
