Tillerson warns against using Lebanon for ‘proxy conflicts’
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned other countries against using Lebanon for ‘proxy conflicts’ following a crisis triggered by its prime minister’s resignation.
Tillerson also called the premier, Saad Hariri, who announced his resignation last Saturday from Saudi Arabia, as a ‘strong partner’ of the United States.
“The United States cautions against any party, within or outside Lebanon, using Lebanon as a venue for proxy conflicts or in any manner contributing to instability in that country,” Tillerson said in a statement.
Hariri’s resignation came as a shock. He accused Hezbollah, the powerful Shiite movement that is part of his government but also close to Iran, of controlling Lebanon.
Many observers saw his stepping down as being ordered by Saudi Arabia, Iran’s big rival in the region.
Earlier Friday, while travelling in Asia, Tillerson told reporters he had received assurances from the Saudis that Hariri himself had decided to resign.
Tillerson also said he had no indication that Hariri was being held against his will in the oil-rich kingdom.
But he also expressed concern over what effect the resignation might have on the stability of the Lebanese government, which is composed of Christians and both Shiite and Sunni Muslims.
Tillerson said this structure had been able to maintain some degree of calm and peace in Lebanon, and that if this balance of powers were disrupted, things might change.
“The United States strongly supports the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Lebanon and of its political institutions” and opposes “any actions that could threaten that stability,” Tillerson’s statement on Friday reads.
Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Friday accused Saudi Arabia of detaining Hariri and of asking the Shiite movement’s archfoe Israel to launch strikes on Lebanon.
Hezbollah is a fierce critic of Saudi Arabia.
In a message that seemed aimed mainly at Iran and Hezbollah, Tillerson’s statement said: “There is no legitimate place or role in Lebanon for any foreign forces, militias or armed elements other than the legitimate security forces of the Lebanese state — which must be recognized as the sole authority for security in Lebanon.”
Washington has expressed support in recent days for King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, although Tillerson said that the latter’s detention of more than 200 princes, ministers and businessmen in a crackdown on corruption “raises a few concerns” about how they will be dealt with down the road. — AFP