US Middle East coordinator visits Beirut

White House coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf Region Philip Gordon arrived in Beirut, Lebanon on Monday. Gordon travelled from Cairo, Egypt in his first tour of the region since he was assigned the position under Obama’s administration. Sources claim Gordon’s flight to Lebanon was delayed for 24 hours due to unknown circumstances. His late arrival meant a scheduled meeting with the US Lebanon ambassador Maura Connelly and heads of the association of banks in Lebanon was cancelled. Gordon is expected to spend a few hours in Beirut before leaving to complete his tour of the region. The trip comes as a diplomatic exploration of the political climates in each country. The US coordinator is set to meet President Michel Suleiman, parliament head Nabih Berri and former Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Gordon will also meet with the new Prime Minister, Tammam Salam. On Monday Ambassador Maura Connelly met with the head of the Association of Banks in Lebanon, Joseph Torbey and its members. The group discussed its commitment to the international and American objectives to thwart money laundering and auditing of funding. Torbey delivered a welcome speech at the start of the meeting. He followed by briefing the group on the associations visit to American banks last March. Members visited New York after receiving an invitation by the Lebanese American Chamber.  Former Senator George Michael delivered a speech in which he emphasised the importance of the banking sector in Lebanon’s national and economic life. The visit confirmed the necessity of maintaining a good reputation and durability of the sector.   They also reviewed previous visits and meetings of the association delegate with the ministry of commerce and treasury and the ministry of foreign affairs and in US congress. The delegation also met with some research centres that have an impact on policy-making in the US, Aspen Institute. The association’s board of directors affirmed that the visits intend to help clarify the sectors performance to benefit all Lebanese people. A diplomatic source claims Connelly discussed and the general manager for public security – the findings of his visit to the Syrian capital on Sunday and the negotiations made to secure the release of nine Shiite Lebanese hostages. The release of the prisoners would help to further stabilise Lebanon. Connelly praised the efforts promoting cooperation between the embassy and the public security.