Feltman Arrives Wednesday in Beirut to Meet Senior Officials

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, who will arrive in Beirut on a two-day visit on Wednesday, is expected to hold talks with senior Lebanese officials over matters concerning the security and political situation in the country.

“Feltman will focus (in his talks) on the security and political situation in Lebanon and the regional situation especially in Syria,” a U.S. diplomatic source told As Safir newspaper on Tuesday.

The source noted that Feltman’s visit was scheduled weeks ago and it isn’t related to the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri.

Last week, Prime Minister Miqati announced that he had transferred Lebanon's share of funds for the STL.

The diplomat said Feltman will stress during his visit the importance of Lebanon’s commitment to U.N. Security Council resolutions 1701 that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah. The resolution says in reference to Hizbullah that no armed forces other than UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces shall be south of the Litani River.

He will also urge the implementation of Resolution 1559 that calls upon the all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias to disband.

Feltman is expected to hold meetings with President Michel Suleiman, PM Miqati and Speaker Nabih Berri, according to As Safir.

The newspaper said the top diplomat will also meet separately with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat and the March 14-led opposition leaders.