US: To Judge Lebanese Government by Its Actions

Commenting the announcement of the Lebanese new government, the United States said Monday that it would judge the new Lebanese government "by its actions," "We'll judge it by its actions," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. "What's important in our mind is that the new Lebanese government abides by the Lebanese Constitution, that it renounces violence, including efforts to exact retribution against former government officials, and lives up to all its international obligations."

Toner urged the new government to support the U.N.-backed tribunal investigating the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in a 2005 bombing.
Echoing the U.S., United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams voiced hope that the new government would uphold Lebanon's international obligations following a meeting with Miqati.

"Today's formation of a new Council of Ministers, after months of consultations, is a very important development for Lebanon. A new government will enable the country to address the manifold challenges facing the country, whether economic, political or security," Williams told reporters.

"In my discussion with Premier Miqati this afternoon, I expressed the expectation that his government will reiterate its support for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and its commitment to Lebanon's international obligations," he added.
Miqati also received French Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton.