Cairo 2008 Quinquepartite Meeting: US Coordinates with Arab Moderates in the Face of Opposition, Hizbullah

The Arab Wikileaks cables revealed the pivotal role of US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman in the Quinquepartite meeting which was held in Cairo on November 18, 2008.
The Quinquepartite meeting was held between the US and the Moderate Arab Quartet represented by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq. During the meeting, the Arab moderates were clear to be active in coordinating with the US regarding the crises in the region, precisely in Lebanon, Iran, occupied Palestine, and Iraq.

The Wikileaks cable, which sources back to the US Embassy in Cairo on December 15, 2008, labeled 08CAIRO2503 and categorized as "confidential", represents a report for the meeting, in which Lebanon was a major issue of discussion. The Palestinian file, Iran, and Iran were also included in the discussions, in addition to the naval piracy in the Horn of Africa (HoA).

The Quinquepartite meeting was proposed by the US Ambassador to Egypt, Margaret Scobey, who filed to proposal to Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Gheit on August 24, 2008. The latter on his part appeared to be enthusiastic in this regard, that his country hosted a broad meeting.

The delegations included governmental officials, who are also "decision makers" in their countries, especially in their Foreign Ministries. Of the main figures of the Egyptian delegation were Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hussam Zaki and Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Abdul Rahman Salah. On the US side, many figures from the US Embassy and Administration were present, notably Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman, US Ambassador Scobey, and Director of Policy Planning Department in the US Foreign Ministry David Gordon.

Lebanon and the Taef Accord

On the Lebanese level, the sides meeting, especially the Egyptians and Americans, tried to anticipate the results of the 2009 elections. Both sides predicted the Christian votes would face division, amid a Hizbullah enhancement of its defense fronts, excluding any possibility it would refer to power.
As for the Syrian behavior regarding the Lebanese internal situation, the Egyptians believed it has witnessed progress, although a "radical change in the Syrian approach towards Lebanon is a time-requiring operation".

On his part, Hussam Zaki emphasized that the Taef accord should not be amended, in order to maintain the Christian-Islamic parity in the region. He further clarified that the "Taef amendment" would lead to an augmentation of the Shiite's power.

As for Feltman's response to the Egyptian point of view on the Taef Accord, he said "Washington leaves the decision of amending it or not for the Lebanese, although it does not encourage an amendment".

On the level of the US request to support the Lebanese army, Hussam affirmed this is a sensitive matter, saying there should be confirmation that this army would "work" after reinforcement.
During the meeting, Feltman's concern revolved around everything that would weaken Hizbullah. In this context, the US Assistant Secretary of State said, "An International resolution over the Shebaa Farms might help weaken Hizbullah politically. Yet the question is how could a decision like that support the Lebanese government?"

Jeffrey Feltman clarified that "The Lebanese officials should explain to us how would they invest that, and receive guarantees from Syria that it would demarcate its borders with Lebanon?"
Feltman also expressed no concern what so ever regarding an "Israeli" withdrawal from the Shebaa Farms when saying, "Even if the Shebaa Farms case was resolved, Hizbullah without doubt will find alternative excuses to keep its weapons". He said the evidence was Hizbullah's argument regarding the annexed Seven Villages of South Lebanon saying "which apparently were Lebanese before 1923".

Since the support of the moderators in Lebanon is Feltman's greatest concerns, he noted to the sides in the meeting, that the situation is improving since the Doha agreement (May 2008).
Jeffrey Feltman's remarks came on the basis that there is a restoration of the state institutions, representing a positive development. He further explaining that the Lebanese moderators will therefore become capable of competing from within the state's institutions, especially after Hizbullah proved in May that it is able to control the streets by force only.

Feltman added that the US government will increase its aids to Lebanon to $1.3 billion. Furthermore, US Assistant Secretary of State pointed out, "We [The US] believe that the diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria are normal, and it is something possible to achieve, but we are still worried regarding the Syrian intentions".