Ambassador-designate David Hale arrived in Lebanon today following confirmation of his appointment by the U.S. Senate on August 1, 2013. Upon his arrival, Ambassador-designate Hale issued the following statement: \"I am very honored and pleased to return Lebanon, a country I first set foot in 25 years ago as a young diplomat. I return at a time when there are serious political and security challenges facing Lebanon and the broader region, but I know that the people of Lebanon remain committed, as they were a quarter a century ago, to maintaining true independence, unity, prosperity, and security throughout the entire country. This work continues, as does the effort to build strong state institutions accountable to all Lebanese. My goal as Ambassador is to ensure that the U.S. Embassy remains a partner with the Lebanese people in this effort because we share those goals for Lebanon as well. I look forward to resuming work in Lebanon, reinvigorating ties to Lebanese friends, and working together to meet the pressing challenges ahead.\"