State Department sends official to Beirut as stalemate drags on
Undersecretary for Political Affairs David Hale is the highest-ranking US official to visit Beirut under the new administration.
The US State Department is dispatching a senior official to Lebanon this week to push the country’s leaders to form a government after months of political deadlock.
Undersecretary for Political Affairs David Hale will visit Beirut on Tuesday through Thursday, making him the highest-ranking US official to travel to the small Mediterranean country since President Joe Biden took office in January.
During his visit, Hale “will underscore America's concerns with the worsening socio-economic conditions throughout the country and the political impasse that is contributing to the deteriorating situation," read a State Department statement on Monday. Hale will hold meetings “with a full range of leaders.”
“Under Secretary Hale will press Lebanese officials and party leaders to come together and form a government capable of and committed to implementing economic and governance reforms so that the Lebanese people can realize their full potential,” the statement said.
