Daily Press Briefing, Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman, Washington, DC April 28, 2005

QUESTION: The Lebanese Government today confirmed the removal of the heads -- the chiefs of security and the public prosecutor, and appointed replacements for them. How -- do you have any observation, any comment on this?

MR. ERELI: With respect to decisions about who fills specific positions in the Lebanese Government, that's something for the Lebanese Government -- those are decisions for the Lebanese Government to make. That's their right and authority as a sovereign government. We don't have any comment on it. I think the way we view events in Lebanon is from the perspective of 1559 and elections, and what we are working with the Lebanese to help bring about are, as you well know, elections that are free of foreign interference and result in a government that reflects the will of the Lebanese people.

The Lebanese -- I believe the Lebanese parliament, in recent days, have set May 29th, June 5th, June 12th, and June 19th as the days for which -- on which elections will take place. This is a positive step. I think it indicates that the process is moving forward in Lebanon that, you know, now that Syrian forces -- military forces have gone, subject to UN verification, the political wheels are turning in Lebanon. The steps are being taken to prepare for the elections.

The next steps that we're looking for is Lebanon to accept UN technical assistance for these elections and we hope to receive a formal invitation to both governmental and non-governmental international elections observers to be part of this process. And we'll continue working with the Lebanese, with the UN, with our international partners to help keep the process moving forward.

QUESTION: But can't you consider this positive in the context of the (inaudible) report -- who considered this security chiefs as -- who discredited them after the assassination of Hariri?

MR. ERELI: I'll put it this way. For us, the important barometers of progress are a full investigation into the circumstances of Hariri's assassination. The UN has provided for that. That investigation has taken place. Lebanon and Syria have both said that they're going to cooperate with that investigation and steps, actions that are cooperative are to be -- are to be expected, quite frankly.

So you know, I'm not going to comment on individual moves. What I will tell you is that we are looking for answers to hard questions. Who killed Hariri and why, and how? And that's what the UN is trying to find out and that's what the Government of Lebanon , the Government of Syria need to help them do.

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