Jimmy Carter told an overflow crowd at Issam Fares Hall on December 12 that President-elect Barack Obama had promised him he would engage in peace talks as soon as he took office. Carter, however, acknowledged the tremendous political pressures that exist among political office holders to comply almost without exception to the policies of the Israeli government.

Carter was wrapping up a five-day visit in Lebanon, during which he met with public officials in preparation for his plans to monitor the parliamentary elections should he receive the approval of the Lebanese cabinet. He was hosted by the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI), which was established in 2007 with the aim of bringing prominent international mediators to AUB and Beirut.

The lecture was titled “Thirty Years After Camp David: A Memo to the Arab World, Israel, and the Quartet.”  The event was covered by more than 45 local and international news organizations, as well as a host of prominent figures, including British Ambassador Frances Guy, US Ambassador Michele Sison, and Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

IFI Director Rami Khouri opened the lecture, saying: “When it comes to distinguished peace makers, they don’t come any better than Jimmy Carter….