WASHINGTON, AUG 30: The US State Department on Saturday reiterated its call for Hezbollah to disarm, underscoring that the Lebanese government was the “sole legitimate” mediator in the country’s affairs.
The State Department’s position through a spokesperson was posted on the US embassy in Beirut’s official page on X in response to a media inquiry.
“The Trilateral Framework clearly states that the Lebanese Government is the sole legitimate interlocutor for discussions about the future of Lebanon and on behalf of the Lebanese people,” the official was quoted as saying.
The statement added that the US stands with Lebanese people and wanted Lebanon to be a safe and sovereign country, but for that to happen the Iran-backed Hezbollah group “must disarm.”
“When Hezbollah decides it is ready to do so, it can talk with the Lebanese state, with whom we are already in dialogue and tell them it is ready to turn in its weapons. Then we could try to bring the views close to each other,” the State Department official said. “But as it stands, Hezballah so far does not want to talk to the Lebanese state, nor talk to us, nor talk to Israel, because it is simply taking orders from Iran. It’s time for Hezballah to do what’s best for Lebanon and the Lebanese people.”
