US, UK, and allies back Lebanese state monopoly on arms and war decisions
The Embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, and Japan affirmed Thursday their strong support for the Lebanese government as the sole entity authorized to hold weapons and decide on matters of war and peace.
"We, the Embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, Canada, and Japan, as friends of Lebanon, affirm our strong support for the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the state monopoly of arms and that the state alone should make decisions regarding war and peace," the five embassies said in a joint statement.
The embassies encouraged "a swift, independent judicial process, free from political interference, that ensures full accountability" in the Dahr al-Baydar explosives case.
"It is also essential for Lebanon in the current situation to have a clear public commitment from all members of parliament and all parties affirming their support for the President’s and the Prime Minister’s declarations that only the Lebanese state has the right to decide on war and peace.
"We reaffirm our ultimate desire to see the full restoration of effective Lebanese sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory," the statement said.
Source: Naharnet
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