Visiting U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs, David Hale, met President Michel Aoun in Baabda on Thursday after which he told reporters that Hizbullah’s Iran-financed illegal activities prevent the establishment of a peaceful state in Lebanon.
“Hizbullah and its illegal activities prevent the establishment of a peaceful state, and Iran is financing this,” Hale told reporters after his meeting with Aoun.
The US envoy met Aoun and was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea.
He said the US is willing to help Lebanon get through indirect talks with Israel on the demarcation of its maritime border which would greatly assist the crisis-wracked country.
“America will not abandon its friends and Lebanon. We are ready to facilitate negotiations on the maritime border that will have economic benefits to address the crisis,” he said.
The US envoy said his visit to Lebanon came at the Secretary of State’s request to “stress the commitment of the American government to the issue of Lebanon. The Lebanese people are suffering because the leaders have failed to address the economic problems.”
Again he berated Lebanese politicians for fighting over the formation of a new government for months while millions endure mounting economic hardship.
“Mismanagement in Lebanon has led to this situation, and there is still a possibility to form a government that stops the collapse, America is ready to help, but we want to see reforms,” stressed Hale.