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Lebanon concerned about spillover from US-led airstrikes on IS

During the Paris Conference, the Lebanese delegation expressed its concerns that the US-led airstrikes on the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria will have repercussions for Lebanon — concerns that foreign ministers tried to alleviate.
Lebanon's Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil speaks during a joint news conference with Iraq?s acting Foreign Minister Hussein Shahristani (not pictured) in Baghdad, August 18, 2014. REUTERS/Ali Abbas/Pool (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR42T54
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The Lebanese delegation carried its concerns about the US-led airstrikes on the Islamic State (IS) to the Paris Conference on Sept. 15-16. A source participating in the conference told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the negotiations between Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and his Western counterparts were candid and open, since Lebanon is primarily concerned with the war on terrorism and because IS has become a threat that jeopardizes the Lebanese state and people.

However, the Lebanese capacities in this regard are limited and modest. The concerns are serious, and there is fear that any strike against IS in Iraq might send more terrorists to Lebanon. The source told Al-Monitor that US Secretary of State John Kerry, who's primarily involved in the Paris Conference and whose country is spearheading the offense against IS, showed complete understanding for the Lebanese point of view. He even asked about the details and voiced his interest in helping.

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