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Why Lebanon skipped anti-terror meeting in Washington

Lebanon decided not to attend the international summit on counterterrorism in Washington when certain Lebanese parties, such as Hezbollah, balked at cooperating with Israel, among other issues.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry listens during the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism at the State Department in Washington February 19, 2015.      REUTERS/Joshua Roberts    (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW RELIGION CIVIL UNREST) - RTR4QA6N
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Lebanon decided not to participate in the three-day Countering Violent Extremism summit held in Washington this week for the countries participating in the international coalition against terrorism. There was extensive discussion in Beirut before it was finally decided to abstain from taking part in the summit, but the issue is still stirring controversy.

A Lebanese government source revealed to Al-Monitor the entire story behind Lebanon’s relationship with the international framework against terrorism. On condition of anonymity, the Lebanese official explained that the issue began during the international coalition’s first meeting, which was held in Jeddah Sept. 9, 2014. The source noted that Hezbollah and individual ministers began to object to Lebanon’s participation in meetings that were sponsored by the United States and Saudi Arabia.

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