Britain lambasts Assad's notion of handpicked gov't

3/31/2016 6:26:26 PM

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BEIRUT March 31 (KUNA) -- British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond criticized as insufficient on Thursday the Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's suggestion of a course toward political transition including the formation of a national unity government.

"Assad talk about a unity government - by which he means bringing one or two handpicked regime-friendly oppositionists into minor posts in the government - is not sufficient" Hammond said at a joint press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil at the end of a one-day official visit to Lebanon. He was commenting on Al-Assad's call yesterday for a unity government that would represent opposition independent the current government and other political forces.

Hammond stressed the need of creating a new government which would represent all the people of Syria but "not be led by Bashar Assad." On the British-Lebanese ties he announced an additional GBP 19.8 million (USD 28.5 million) to boost Lebanon's security capabilities. The funding will help Lebanon to protect itself against terrorism including the threat from the so-called Islamic State (IS or Daesh).

The UK plans to spend GBP 19.8 million in total over the next three years including GBP 4.5 million for training at Hamat and GBP 15.3 million for mentoring of the Land Border Regiments to protect Lebanon from terrorism including the threat from Daesh he said. "The UK and Lebanon have a strong and long standing relationship. In meetings with the country's leaders I reaffirmed the UK's support for a secure stable and prosperous Lebanon.

"Lebanon is a partner in the Global Coalition to defeat Daesh. It is on the frontline of the crisis in Syria and faces a high threat from terrorism" Hammond stressed. "Our support for the Lebanese army is enabling them to build their capabilities strengthen the country's borders and protect the Lebanese people.

"Lebanon is playing a vital role in the region with the Syrian crisis and has so far taken in over 1.1 million Syrian refugees. "The UK continues to be one of the largest bilateral donors to the Syria crisis and has committed a total of GBP 2.3 billion to the Syria crisis in the region. In addition the UK has committed GBP 365 million alone to promote stability in Lebanon he added.

During his visit Hammond held talks with Prime Minister Tammam Salam Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and the Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.

He called on the Lebanese leaders to elect a President to take the country forward reiterated the UK's support for Lebanon's stability and praised the country for its role hosting Syrian refugees. (end) wam.gb

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