Lebanon wants US to help prevent Israeli violations
US SECRETARY OF STATE DECLARES SUPPORT FOR A ‘FREE AND DEMOCRATIC’ LEBANON
L ebanon’s President says he has asked visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to work on preventing ongoing Israeli violations of its sovereignty.
President Michel Aoun made the comments during a meeting with Tillerson at the presidential palace yesterday. According to Aoun’s office, he also told Tillerson that Lebanon rejects Israeli claims over parts of the countries’ maritime border where Lebanon will be drilling for oil and gas.
Tillerson arrived in the Lebanese capital earlier in the day as part of a regional tour.
Tillerson’s visit, part of a tour of the Middle East, comes at a time of tension between Lebanon and neighbouring Israel, notably over the role of Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah.
Tillerson also held talks with Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri during which he offered Washington’s support for a “free and democratic” Lebanon.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah, a member of Hariri’s government, is an arch-foe of Israel and branded a “terrorist” organisation by the United States.
It is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and has fighters on the ground in the war-torn country supporting the regime.
Hezbollah’s influence was at the heart of a political crisis in Lebanon over Hariri’s shock resignation announced from Saudi Arabia in November that was later rescinded.
Tillerson, the highest-ranking US official to visit Lebanon in four years, after talks with President Aoun, wrote in the visitors’ book: “The United States stands with the Lebanese people for a free and democratic Lebanon.”
Softer tone on Hezbollah
On Wednesday, speaking in Amman, Tillerson conceded that Hezbollah is part of the “political process” in Lebanon, appearing to soften Washington’s tone.
“We support a free, democratic Lebanon free of influence of others, and we know that Lebanese Hezbollah is influenced by Iran. This is influence that we think is unhelpful in Lebanon’s long-term future,” he said.
“We also have to acknowledge the reality that they also are part of the political process in Lebanon.”
Later, Steve Goldstein, US Undersecretary of State, said however that Lebanon “would be better off without Hezbollah’s terrorism and malign influence”.
After his talks in Beirut, Tillerson was due to head to Turkey seeking to ease tensions with the Nato ally over Ankara’s ongoing operation against a USbacked Kurdish militia inside Syria.
Last week, a US envoy assured Lebanon that Israel does not seek an escalation between the countries following a surge in hostile rhetoric.
The neighbours have exchanged threats and condemnation over a border wall being constructed by Israel, a tender issued by Beirut for oil and gas exploration in disputed waters and arms flows to Hezbollah.
David Satterfield, acting US assistant secretary of state, was in Israel last week and in Lebanon this week on a mediation mission. He assured the Lebanese that Israel does not want escalation.
Lebanon has described Israel’s border wall as an “aggression”, saying it intrudes into Lebanese territory.
Diplomatic push
Aoun meanwhile has been in talks with friendly states “to prevent Israeli greed” and has pledged to “confront any attack” on Lebanon’s territory or waters.
Israel last went to war in Lebanon in 2006, against Hezbollah which, it says, has increased in strength since helping sway the Syrian civil war in President Bashar Al Assad’s favour.