O 201415Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3612
NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 
USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 
CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA PRIORITY

UNCLAS BEIRUT 001657 
 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/PPD, R, 
INR/R/MR, INR-PARENT, 
NSC - ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/YERGER/MCDERMOTT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT:  Lebanon: Media Reaction - November 20, 2008 
 
Atmospherics: 
------------- 
 
Visits by the British Foreign Minister and the French Prime Minister 
to Beirut were given top billing in the Lebanese press.  Security 
investigations and the continuous pursuit of Fatah Al-Islam leaders 
were also underscored in headlines and front-page lead stories.  The 
press also highlighted the eighth report by the U.N. Secretary 
General on the implementation of UNSCR 1701.  A commentator noted 
that the French and British visits reflect "renewed" European 
interest in Lebanon as helping stability in the region.  The 
Europeans seem satisfied with the developments in Lebanon following 
the Doha Agreement, and are emphasizing the "positive Syrian role in 
these developments."  One editorialist noted that Lebanon should 
put, once and for all, an end to its fears of a deal at its expense 
between the international community and Syria. 
 
Selected Headlines 
------------------- 
 
"Awad's (the new prince of Fatah Al-Islam) Fate Will Be Decided 
Within Hours: He Should Either Turn Himself In or His Hiding Place 
Will Be Invaded (by the Lebanese Army" Pro-Syria Ad-Diyar 
 
"Ban Ki Moon In His Eighth Report About UNSCR 1701: The Countries in 
the Region Should Respect the Ban on Weapons" Pro-Hariri 
Al-Mustaqbal 
 
"The French Prime Minister in Beirut Today; British Contacts To 
Continue Implementation of International Resolutions in Lebanon" 
Pro-Hariri Ash-Sharq 
 
"Miliband to Al-Hayat: A Window of Opportunities in the Region and 
We Do not Seek to Change the Iranian Regime" pan-Arab Al-Hayat 
 
"Fillion (the French Prime Minister) in Beirut Boosts the Issue of 
Privatization" Independent Al-Balad 
 
Block Quotes: 
------------Q 
 
"Miliband in Beirut:  Linkage Versus Divisions?" an editorial by 
Rafiq Khoury in centrist Al-Anwar (11/20): 
 
"...Miliband believes that the region's crises are interlinked and 
need a comprehensive solution.  He believes that the only way to 
solve the Palestinian conflict is to deal with it as part of a 
comprehensive solution that would also include the Iranian nuclear 
discord in addition to other issues.  Miliband used this same logic 
during his visit to Beirut when he noted that there will be no 
stability in the world without stability in the Middle East and no 
stability in the Middle East without stability in Lebanon.   ...In 
contrast, President (sic!) Obama, who will be facing unprecedented 
challenges,...has to think in a different way.  It is dangerous for 
the United States to insist on solving all crises together because 
this will lead to no solutions anywhere.  ...As for Beirut, the time 
has come to put a stop to all fears about possible deals with Syria 
at Lebanon's expense every time a European or an American official 
visits Syria or Iran.  ...Everyone is saying what Miliband said that 
'we have not lost our focus on Lebanon's importance,' and like Rice 
said, 'Washington is not prepared to make a deal at Lebanon's 
expense...'  What is important is that the Lebanese themselves play 
their role in building their state in order to protect Lebanon's 
future." 
 
Sison