US President Donald Trump’s envoy to the United Nations on Tuesday said the international community must support Lebanon’s government and army as they seek to assert sovereignty across the country and “beat back Hezbollah.”
“We must support the Government of Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces as they exercise sovereignty – and we’ve heard a lot of talk about sovereignty today – but as they exercise sovereignty, the duly elected Government of Lebanon, over all of Lebanon’s territory and beat back Hizballah, a group that hides behind civilians while threatening their neighbors, a terrorist group that has a long history of hiding weapons, fighters, and caches of rockets in schools, hospitals, and civilian homes,” US Ambassador the UN Mike Waltz said.
Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on the situation in Lebanon, Waltz said international efforts needed to refocus on supporting Lebanese state institutions, reducing the risk to peacekeepers, and pressing Hezbollah and its main backers, Iran, to cease their destabilizing activities.
“We, the United States, will continue to work with Council members, regional partners, troop‑contributing countries, and the parties on the ground to reduce tensions, support Lebanon’s sovereignty, and make a better future for the Lebanese people,” Waltz said.
France called for the UNSC briefing following the killing of multiple UN peacekeepers based in Lebanon. Waltz called on the world to reserve judgment until the United Nations concludes its investigations.
Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border fire since the Iran-backed group decided to enter the war following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader.
Since then, Israel has begun invading southern Lebanon, once again, with the hopes of establishing a so-called buffer zone and defeating Hezbollah.
Multiple wars between Hezbollah and Iran since the early 80s have failed to alter the status quo.
