US, UAE warn Lebanese govt over maintaining ties with Hezbollah

The US and UAE have warned Lebanon about maintaining ties with Hezbollah, as the country’s president convened a meeting to bring together political parties with the aim of “fortifying civil peace.”

Lebanon’s domestic turmoil rocketed last year, with street protests, high-profile resignations and financial chaos. A new government, led by Prime Minister Hassan Diab, was formed in January. But there have been concerns about its composition as the majority of its ministers belong to Hezbollah and its allies. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US was prepared to communicate with any Lebanese government that carried out real reform, telling a press conference the world would act in the interest of Lebanon if this was achieved, and if the government operated in a way that was not “beholden to” Hezbollah.

The UAE’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, went further in his assessment of the country’s plight. “Lebanon is paying the price of deteriorating ties with wealthy Gulf Arab states as it struggles to cope with a deep economic crisis,” he said in an interview. “If we see some of our friends and the major powers intant terested in Lebanon and working on a plan, we will consider that.”

The minister added that there had been an “accumulation of problems” in Lebanon and “a dictation” of political discourse by Hezbollah which had an

“army within the state.” “The UAE repeatedly warned Beirut about deteriorating relations with the Gulf. If you burn these bridges it will be very difficult for you to use the huge reservoirs of goodwill and financial support that Lebanon needs.”

The strong words came ahead of a meeting convened by President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace, with issues related to Hezbollah’s weapons, controlling the borders with Syria, and the US Caesar Act on the agenda. But opposition parties, former President Amine Gemayel, and all former premiers boycotted the meeting.

Lebanon is paying the price of deteriorating ties with Gulf states as it struggles to cope with a deep economic crisis.

UAE’s minister of state for foreign affairs