BEIRUT: A high-ranking U.S. official Monday blasted Hezbollah’s military intervention in Syria, saying it only served to prolong the bloody conflict in the neighboring country and provided ISIS with a recruitment tool.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken also prodded rival Lebanese leaders to elect a president as soon as possible, saying MPs thwarting a quorum for a Parliament session to choose a new head of state should be held to public account.
Speaking to reporters after holding talks with Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the latter’s residence in Moseitbeh, Blinken reiterated U.S. support for Lebanon in its ongoing battle against terrorism. He also stressed that Washington was committed to a political transition in Syria that would exclude “a brutal dictator” like President Bashar Assad.
“The United States is committed to helping bring about a political transition in Syria that leads to an inclusive government and a future of freedom, dignity and security for the Syrian people,” he said, reading from a prepared statement. “Dignity cannot be brought if the current dictator – a man who has gassed and barrel bombed the people of Syria – remains. As Secretary [of State John] Kerry has emphasized, a brutal dictator like Assad has no place in this future.”
“In this regard, Hezbollah’s support for Assad – indeed the lifeline it provides – serves only to prolong the conflict and suffering, provides Daesh [Arabic acronym for ISIS] with a recruitment tool, and causes more refugees to flee to Lebanon. Hezbollah’s actions in Syria are bad for the people of Syria and Lebanon.”
Citing the threat posed to Lebanon’s security by Syria-based jihadis and the Syrian refugee crisis, which is straining the country’s feeble infrastructure, Blinken said that in order to tackle the many challenges confronting the region today, Lebanon needs every part of its government, particularly the presidency, functioning effectively.
“It cannot face these historic challenges with an empty chair. Electing a president will not solve all ills, but it will be a critical step in the right direction,” he said. “Until the seat is filled, Lebanon cannot make important policy decisions that would improve the lives of its people.”
The U.S. official told the feuding Lebanese parties not to count on foreign assistance to end the 10-month-old presidential vacuum. “I urge Lebanon’s leaders not to look outside of their country for a resolution to the presidential gridlock, but instead to find a solution from within,” Blinken said. “Responsible voices in the international community will support you. But unless and until a president is chosen, the erosion of Lebanon’s political institutions will only deepen.”“The election of a president is a decision entirely for the Lebanese to take, but they must take it; and those blocking formation of a parliamentary quorum should be held to public account,” he said.
His remarks came four days after Parliament failed in the 21st botched attempt since last April to elect a president over a lack of quorum, prompting Speaker Nabih Berri to postpone the session to April 22.
MPs from Michel Aoun’s bloc, Hezbollah’s bloc and its March 8 allies have been accused by the March 14 coalition of scuttling a quorum by constantly boycotting Parliament electoral sessions. They demand a prior agreement with their March 14 rivals over a consensus candidate for the presidency.
Asked about the purpose of his visit, Blinken told The Daily Star: “The relationship between the United States and Lebanon is long-standing and important. I wanted to come here as soon as I could to further that relationship and sit down with Lebanese leaders to discuss a range of important regional issues, including defeating Daesh, but also our partnership in helping refugees and host communities in Lebanon. We have just pledged and additional $118 million for Lebanon, bringing our total contribution to nearly $800 million to help with this crisis.”
Blinken, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador David Hale, also held talks earlier Monday with Berri and Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil. He said he reviewed with Salam developments in the region, including last week’s agreement between the P5+1 and Iran on the elements of a comprehensive plan to deal with Iran’s nuclear program, as well as the conflicts in Syria and Yemen and the future of Middle East peace.
“We know that all of these issues have an impact here and that the interests of your nation are at stake,” he said.
Blinken said Lebanon is “a strong partner” in the anti-terror strategy.
“We also talked about our common efforts to counter extremist violence and eliminate the threat that Daesh and other groups pose to all of us. This effort requires not only a military response, but also global engagement to counter extremist propaganda and financing, and the flow of foreign fighters,” he said. “It requires reaching those who might be susceptible to the call of violent extremism and develop strategies to prevent them from joining in the first place. Lebanon is a strong partner in these efforts. That is why we have increased and expedited our assistance to Lebanon.”
He vowed continued U.S. military assistance to help the Lebanese Army and security forces in the battle against terrorism. “We continue to support the security services as they protect and preserve Lebanon’s security, stability, independence and sovereignty on behalf of all Lebanese,” he said. “Our security assistance – training, equipment, weapons and ammunition – totals more than $1 billion over the past nine years.”
In response to a question from The Daily Star, Blinken said the U.S. negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program did not deal with Lebanon or other regional issues. “So they should not affect the political calculus of Lebanese leaders or be used as a reason to delay [the] presidential election,” he said.
He ruled out a U.S. dialogue with the Assad regime to secure the safe return of refugees to their homes. “Our position on the Assad regime has not changed: the regime has lost all credibility and Bashar Assad must leave power,” Blinken told The Daily Star. “This departure should take place through a negotiated political settlement that is part of a comprehensive transition to a representative, accountable government being formed in Syria.”
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