890E.01/12–445: Telegram

The Chargé in Lebanon (Mattison) to the Secretary of State

397. Yesterday evening I called on President Khoury at his request.

He expressed deep concern over the question of foreign troops in Levant. Citing recent American action in Iran as a parallel, he asked that US, as one of the Big Three, remind France and Great Britain that the war was now over and that it was high time that these troops were withdrawn from Levant.

He said that Lebanon had heard nothing officially of any conversations re withdrawal of troops since meeting of ForMins in September yet was aware of fact that conversations were in progress.

He was insistent that Lebanon and Syria should be represented at the outset in any conversations dealing with matters which concerned them.

He wished to make clear that Lebanon would never accept a decision reached without consultation with both Syria and Lebanon. He and his Govt had been in jail before and if necessary were willing to go again. The atmosphere in the Levant was now calm and he would hate to have renewed disturbances break out at a time when there was so much trouble throughout the world.

Therefore he wished to make his views entirely clear beforehand as any unilateral announcement made without consultation and approval of both Govts could only be rejected and any attempt to enforce such decision would result in serious disturbances.

I informed the President that I would see that his views were presented to my Govt at earliest possible moment.

In commenting on the interview I would like to say that there is an undercurrent of fear in the country that the French and British are making a “deal” whereby the French will retain a predominant position in Lebanon and the British a similar one in Syria. While the President made no specific mention of this subject it would seem evident that current uneasiness on this score had prompted his request.

Sent Dept as 397, repeated as 101 to Paris with request repeat to London, paraphrases to Arab capitals.

Mattison