US Ambassador says all Lebanese want Hezbollah disarmed
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa criticized Hezbollah on Thursday, arguing that the Lebanese people broadly agree on the necessity of disarming the group despite differing approaches. "Thus, Hezbollah must hand over its arms to the state," he said.
The remarks came following a meeting with the spiritual head of the Druze community in Lebanon, Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna.
"Lebanese are unanimous about Hezbollah's disarmament," Issa said. "Everyone might prefer a specific way to achieve this, but ultimately, it is essential that the group hand over its arms directly to the Lebanese state."
Issa sharply criticized Hezbollah's subservience to Iran, saying the group "does not want to talk to the Lebanese state, nor to the United States, nor to Israel, and is solely taking its orders from Iran."
"We want it to hand over its weapons — we ask for nothing more than that."
Ambassador Issa revealed that communication is ongoing between President Joseph Aoun and Hezbollah, adding that the ongoing U.S.-Iranian negotiations remain indirectly linked to Lebanon.
Source: Naharnet
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