Burns Says Hizbullah Syria Intervention Puts Lebanon Future in Danger
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns on Monday wrapped up an official visit to Lebanon after meeting with President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati.
Burns also met with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat and former premier Fouad Saniora, head of al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc.
The U.S. official's meetings in Lebanon addressed “the serious challenges facing Lebanon at this time, including Lebanon’s security and political situation,” the U.S. embassy in Beirut said in a statement.
Burns reaffirmed the United States’ “long-standing partnership with the people and government of Lebanon, and the U.S. commitment to Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty, and independence, and U.S. support for Lebanon’s policy of disassociation from the Syrian conflict,” it added.
In remarks at the Rafik Hariri International Airport ahead of his departure, Burns said Hizbullah has decided to put its interest ahead of that of the Lebanese people, condemning the group's military involvement in Syria and accusing it of endangering Lebanon.
He charged that Hizbullah's involvement in Syria is aimed at serving the interests of Syrian President Bashar Assad and Iran, not Lebanon's interests, noting that Hizbullah took part in the fighting after having committed itself to the dissociation policy.
He added that it is in the interest of the Lebanese at this stage to respect their country's stability and sovereignty and defend its state and democracy.
Burns warned that the decision to postpone the parliamentary elections undermines people's confidence in the state and the government.
He noted that the events in Syria have greatly impacted Lebanese state institutions.
Burns said U.S. President Barack Obama is still committed to offering aid to Lebanon and the neighboring countries that continue to help the Syrian refugees.
He stressed that the U.S. and its partners will continue to back Lebanon and its army as well as its economy, describing Washington as Lebanon's top economic partner.
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