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Lebanon Slams US Report on Human Rights
Lebanon is considering protesting against the content of a US State Department report on human rights in Lebanon.
A government spokesman said the government will put forward the issue in talks with the US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs Edward Walker who will be visiting Beirut on Friday.
The US report described the human rights record in Lebanon in 2000 as "poor" as a result of the "lack of government control over parts of the country, shortcomings in the electoral system and Syrian influence."
The report said Lebanon's 2000 parliamentary elections were " flawed and the outcome was heavily influenced by the Syrian government." It also criticized Lebanon's poor prison conditions and alleged police abuse.
The official NNA news agency quoted a government source as saying that Lebanon should strongly protest against the negative aspects of the report which harms the country's reputation at the international, Arab and local levels.
"The report criticizes the Syrian military presence and adverse influence on Lebanon, although the Lebanese government has said several times this presence is legitimate and temporary," the official said.
On the other hand, the official questioned why the US report mentioned Lebanon's huge budget deficit and scarce foreign investments. "What does that have to do with human rights record?" he asked, "obviously, it is meant to further aggravate Syria's relations with some Lebanese factions, discourage foreign investors form putting their money in Lebanon and drive away tourists."
The official said Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud has received the report and will send clarifications to the US State Department.
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