Hariri’s visit to Washington

Prime Minister Saad Hariri begins a four-day official visit to Washington Monday, during which he will hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and discuss refugees. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, Central Bank Gov. Riad Salameh, Nader Hariri, the premier’s chief of staff, and several advisers, Hariri, who arrived in Washington Saturday, is scheduled to meet Trump at the White House Tuesday. Bassil left Beirut Sunday to join the Lebanese delegation.
Trump and Hariri are expected to talk about a range of issues, including refugees and combating terrorism, a statement released by the White House said. “The two leaders will discuss issues of mutual concern, including the fight against terrorism, the economy and refugees,” the statement said. “This meeting will serve as an important opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relationship,” it said, adding that the talks “will encourage other international and regional partners to support Lebanon as it faces a wide range of challenges.”
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper, quoting “diplomatic sources” familiar with Lebanese-U.S. relations, highlighted the significance of Hariri’s visit to Washington, particularly its timing.
“The current U.S. Administration under President Donald Trump is thrashing out its foreign strategy, which will allow him [Hariri] to place Lebanon on the map of U.S. attention and explore the new U.S. policies and its directions, particularly about the region,” the paper said.
Despite the regional turmoil and the flame of wars engulfing Syria and Iraq, “the U.S. will express by its officials, especially President Trump, satisfaction with the stability Lebanon is witnessing in the political, security and monetary fields,” it added.

“In Washington’s eyes, Lebanon is the only arena of peace in the region. Furthermore, Lebanon is making achievements in fighting terrorism. It is normal for the Americans to be interested in supporting stability [in Lebanon],” the paper said, quoting the same sources.
The paper said Hariri would seek to strengthen bilateral relations by discussing with U.S. officials issues that concern Lebanon, particularly supporting the Lebanese Army and security forces.
“Hariri will demand that the armament level to be upgraded in view of the dangers facing the Army and security forces in the fight against terrorism,” it said.
The premier will also meet with other U.S. officials, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, members of the Congress, as well as senior officials from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.