Washington:
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday expressed hope for a diplomatic solution in Lebanon and the prevention of a wider conflict, while backing the fragile state's efforts to stand up for itself against Hezbollah.
Blinken said again that Israel, which has carried out deadly attacks on Lebanon, “has the right to defend itself” against Hezbollah, but said he was alarmed by the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
“We remain deeply committed to preventing broader conflict in the region,” Blinken told reporters after an East Asia summit in Laos.
“We all have a vested interest in helping to create an environment where people can return to their homes, their safety and security, and children can return to school,” he said.
“Israel therefore has a clear and very legitimate interest in this. The Lebanese people want the same thing. We believe the best way to get there is through a diplomatic understanding, an agreement we have been working on for some time. and one that we are focusing on now.”
Later in the day, Blinken spoke by phone with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and House Speaker Nabih Berri, according to a statement from the US State Department.
The Lebanese presidency has been vacant for two years and Blinken emphasized the “need to strengthen leadership that reflects the will of the people for a stable, prosperous and independent Lebanon.”
He said that “Lebanon cannot allow Iran or Hezbollah to stand in the way of Lebanon's security and stability.”
The statement made no mention of discussions about a possible ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed group.
After a year of cross-border fire with Hamas ally Hezbollah over the Gaza war, Israel has expanded its operations in Lebanon.
Blinken said the United States would be committed to supporting the fragile Lebanese state as it rebuilds itself after Hezbollah's long rule.
“It is clear that the Lebanese people have an interest – a strong interest – in seeing the state stand up for itself and take responsibility for the country and its future,” he said.
He also said the United States directly expressed its concerns to Israel about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“I am deeply concerned about the inadequacy of the assistance being provided to them,” Blinken said, adding that the United States is “very directly engaged with Israel” on the issue.
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