Rice: Lebanon's Biggest Problem is Hizbullah
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that the biggest problem that Lebanon is facing now is Hizbullah and its relationship with Iran and Syria, An Nahar newspaper reported Thursday.
Rice said although Washington is giving the Lebanese government time to resolve internal problems through national dialogue talks, it is still adamant on its demand for the disarmament of all militias in the country, namely Hizbullah, in abidance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559.
Speaking to the House Appropriations Committee, Rice said the Party of God's ties with Tehran and Damascus "are the biggest problem that the Lebanese are facing at this time."
She said the U.S. is concerned about the role that Iran and Syria are playing in Lebanon and the alliance between the two countries.
"Syria is assuming the role of helper to Iran in more than one part of the world, especially in Lebanon," she said.
The top U.S. diplomat said Washington is cooperating with Paris to ensure the implementation of Resolution 1559, that not only calls for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, but also for disbanding all militias.
The first part of the resolution was applied when Syria, the main powerbroker in Lebanon, withdrew its forces from the country in April 2005, ending nearly 30 years of military presence. It pulled out under international pressure and in the aftermath of mass protests that followed the assassination of ex-premier Rafik Hariri in February last year.
However, Damascus is still accused of interfering in the neighboring country through its relations with its Lebanese allies including Hizbullah. The group also enjoys strong ties with Iran, its main financial backer.
Recent press reports have said that Iran has set up a sophisticated intelligence gathering operation in southern Lebanon to identify targets in northern Israel in the event of a military confrontation over its controversial nuclear program. According to Israeli military officers, Iranian Revolutionary Guards travel regularly to southern Lebanon to help train Hizbullah fighters.
Lebanese anti-Syrian politicians have accused Hizbullah of wanting to maintain its weapons in order to serve Iran and Syria's regional interests.
The group's disarmament is the next topic of discussion at the dialogue talks, after participants hold their last session regarding the fate of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud on April 28.
Rice did not respond to a question about whether there were Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the South.
She said that the Lebanese government is going through a transitional phase under the leadership of a "very delicate government formed after elections strengthened Hizbullah's position in parliament."
After legislative elections last year, the Shiite group gained 14 seats in the 128-member parliament. Party members are also heading two ministries for the first time.
Rice said Washington is giving time for the dialogue talks to "strengthen the democratic forces at the expense of those loyal to Syria."
"But I want to assure you that we have not lost sight of our goal with regards to what Iran is doing in Lebanon. This is probably the worst example of Iranian intervention in the internal affairs of a sovereign country," Rice said.
Rice said although Washington is giving the Lebanese government time to resolve internal problems through national dialogue talks, it is still adamant on its demand for the disarmament of all militias in the country, namely Hizbullah, in abidance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559.
Speaking to the House Appropriations Committee, Rice said the Party of God's ties with Tehran and Damascus "are the biggest problem that the Lebanese are facing at this time."
She said the U.S. is concerned about the role that Iran and Syria are playing in Lebanon and the alliance between the two countries.
"Syria is assuming the role of helper to Iran in more than one part of the world, especially in Lebanon," she said.
The top U.S. diplomat said Washington is cooperating with Paris to ensure the implementation of Resolution 1559, that not only calls for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, but also for disbanding all militias.
The first part of the resolution was applied when Syria, the main powerbroker in Lebanon, withdrew its forces from the country in April 2005, ending nearly 30 years of military presence. It pulled out under international pressure and in the aftermath of mass protests that followed the assassination of ex-premier Rafik Hariri in February last year.
However, Damascus is still accused of interfering in the neighboring country through its relations with its Lebanese allies including Hizbullah. The group also enjoys strong ties with Iran, its main financial backer.
Recent press reports have said that Iran has set up a sophisticated intelligence gathering operation in southern Lebanon to identify targets in northern Israel in the event of a military confrontation over its controversial nuclear program. According to Israeli military officers, Iranian Revolutionary Guards travel regularly to southern Lebanon to help train Hizbullah fighters.
Lebanese anti-Syrian politicians have accused Hizbullah of wanting to maintain its weapons in order to serve Iran and Syria's regional interests.
The group's disarmament is the next topic of discussion at the dialogue talks, after participants hold their last session regarding the fate of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud on April 28.
Rice did not respond to a question about whether there were Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the South.
She said that the Lebanese government is going through a transitional phase under the leadership of a "very delicate government formed after elections strengthened Hizbullah's position in parliament."
After legislative elections last year, the Shiite group gained 14 seats in the 128-member parliament. Party members are also heading two ministries for the first time.
Rice said Washington is giving time for the dialogue talks to "strengthen the democratic forces at the expense of those loyal to Syria."
"But I want to assure you that we have not lost sight of our goal with regards to what Iran is doing in Lebanon. This is probably the worst example of Iranian intervention in the internal affairs of a sovereign country," Rice said.
source: naharnet
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