Kerry expected in Paris, Rome next week

US Secretary of State John Kerry will be heading to Europe for a series of meetings focusing on security and stability in Lebanon, and the democratic transition in Libya, it was announced here Wednesday. Kerry is expected in Paris on March 5, where he will participate in talks for the International Support Group for Lebanon, as well as other bilateral meetings. "This meeting will demonstrate international consensus on the need to support Lebanon and its stability, sovereignty, and independence, including international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, at a critical time for the country," said State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki. "The meeting will also provide the international community with the opportunity to highlight the impact of the refugee crisis inside Lebanon, and ongoing efforts to insulate the country from broader regional crises." On March 5, Kerry will travel to Rome for the Rome Ministerial Conference on Libya, which will focus on "international support for Libya's democratic transition" as well as "ways to deepen assistance to Libya in key areas, including governance, securing conventional weapons, and border security," noted Psaki. "It will also provide participants with the opportunity to evaluate progress on commitments made to date and reinforce support for Libyan efforts to accelerate implementation of those commitments," she added.