Hostage Release Is Top Priority, New American Envoy to Lebanon Vows
The new U.S. ambassador to Lebanon presented his credentials today and said his highest priority is winning the release of American hostages.
Ryan Crocker, 51, arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday, 14 months after all U.S. diplomats were evacuated by helicopter and the embassy closed because of protests by Christian militants.
Asked about the hostage issue after meeting with President Elias Hrawi for the first time, Crocker said: “I will have no higher priority while I am here than to doing everything I can do to secure their safe and immediate release.
“The question of American hostages in Lebanon is very much on my mind as I take on this role. I want to see those Americans home.”
There are six Americans among Westerners missing and believed held hostage in Lebanon.
The way for a U.S. envoy to return was cleared Oct. 13 when Syrian troops toppled rebel Christian Gen. Michel Aoun, who had been blocking an Arab-backed peace plan for Lebanon.
The last U.S. ambassador left Lebanon in September, 1989, after Aoun supporters protested outside the embassy in Christian East Beirut demanding that he back the general’s crusade against Syria.
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