Hale: We Will Continue to Confront Iran and Hizbullah's 'Terrorist Acts'
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale stressed on Monday that his country will continue to confront Iran and its allies, including Hizbullah, “terrorist activities.”
“As we proceed with negotiations about Iran’s nuclear program, the United States will not ignore Iran’s destabilizing actions in the region,” Hale said after meeting with Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail.
He pointed out that the U.S. will continue to cooperate with Lebanon “to ensure that the enforcement of the international sanctions remains rigorous.”
On Sunday a landmark nuclear deal was reached between Iran and world powers, which curb parts of Iran's nuclear program in return for some relief from international sanctions.
Hale told reporters that the main goal is “preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to protecting our allies, especially in a region such as the Middle East.”
He called on the Lebanese foes to abide by the Baabda Declaration, the dissociation policy and the U.N. Security Council resolutions 1701 and 1559.
The Baabda Declaration was unanimously adopted during a national dialogue session in June 2012. It calls for Lebanon to disassociate itself from regional crises, most notably the one in Syria.
Concerning the crisis of Syrian refugees on Lebanese territories, the U.S. diplomat noted that the International Support Group will continue to address the impact of the Syrian conflict on Lebanon and “help Lebanon's “wise policy of dissociation from that conflict.”
He reiterated that the U.S. remains committed to a “stable, independent, prosperous, and sovereign Lebanon.”
The support group was inaugurated in New York in September on the sidelines of the 68th session of the General Assembly. It undertook to work together to mobilize support for the sovereignty and state institutions of Lebanon and to highlight and promote efforts to assist the country where it was most affected by the Syrian crisis, including in respect of strengthening the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces, assistance to refugees, and structural and financial support to the government.
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