Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, concluded his two-day visit to Lebanon by describing it as “very successful” and thanking our Lebanese people for our “world-famous hospitality.”
At the eve of his departure from Lebanon, the U.S. Secretary of State tweeted from his official Twitter account, “Very successful visit to Beirut. Thank you to the Lebanese people for your world-famous hospitality. The U.S. remains committed to working with you to advance Lebanon’s stability, security, and prosperity.”
Very successful visit to Beirut. Thank you to the Lebanese people for your world-famous hospitality. The U.S. remains committed to working with you to advance Lebanon’s stability, security, and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/232bhS9Ed3
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) March 23, 2019
Pompeo’s visit to Lebanon was part of his tour in the region. He arrived in Beirut with his wife after visiting Kuwait and Israel.
Upon his arrival, Mr. Pompeo initiated a series of meetings and talks with top Lebanese leaders like President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and others.
During these meetings, Pompeo and the Lebanese officials discussed various topics, including Hezbollah, the U.S. support for the Lebanese Army, and a dispute over Lebanon’s southern border with Israel.
On the last day of his visit, Pompeo and his wife took a more leisurely tour of the country. They visited the site where a new U.S. embassy compound is being built, and then toured historical churches and a centuries-old citadel in the Northen coastal city of Jbeil (Byblos).
Pompeo ended his last day by convening with his friend, the Beirut Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elias Audi at the headquarters of the Archdiocese in Achrafieh along with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard.
Pompeo’s words after the meeting were, “It was a wonderful visit to a wonderful friend.”
