Issa visits Shiite council, says US wants 'interest of Shiite community'
The U.S. wants “the interest of the Shiite community and the return of residents to the South and their homes,” U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa said on Tuesday after a visit to the Higher Islamic Shiite Council and a meeting with its head Sheikh Ali al-Khatib.
Speaking in Arabic, Issa added that Washington is willing to negotiate with Hezbollah “through the state,” adding that “the state is the side that works for the sake of Lebanon.”
As for the file of Lebanese captives held by Israel, the ambassador said Washington will exert all efforts possible to resolve the matter.
Commenting on Israel’s escalating attacks on south Lebanon, Issa said: “To us, someone attacked and someone responded and we can’t rule that Israel is the one attacking without remembering who started first. We used to say, ‘If you don't attack, the Israelis won't retaliate, but if you attack, they will retaliate forcefully,’ and this is what I understood from the Israeli side.”
Asked whether there will be a new Israeli war on Lebanon, Issa said: "No, there will be no war ... No, certainly no."
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/322324 |