US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed hope on Friday for a diplomatic solution in Lebanon and preventing wider conflict, as he supported efforts by the fragile state to assert itself against Hezbollah.
Blinken then said Israel, which has been carrying out deadly attacks on Lebanon, “has the right to defend itself” against Hezbollah, but added he was concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation.
“We will continue to engage deeply to prevent broader conflict in the region,” Blinken told reporters after the East Asia summit in Laos.
“We all have a deep interest in helping create an environment in which people can go back to their homes, they can be safe, kids can go back to school,” he said.
“So Israel has a clear and very legitimate interest in doing this. The Lebanese people want the same thing. We believe the best way to get there is a diplomatic understanding, which we have been working on for some time.” And one that we’re focusing on right now.”
Blinken later spoke by phone with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, according to a statement from the US State Department.
Lebanon’s presidency has been vacant for two years, and Blinken stressed the need to “empower leadership that reflects the people’s desire 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 did not mention discussions on a possible ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed group.
Israel has expanded its campaign in Lebanon, after a year of cross-border firing with Hamas ally Hezbollah over the Gaza war.
Blinken said the United States would work to support the fragile Lebanese state to build itself up after Hezbollah’s long dominance.
He said, “It is clear that the Lebanese people have an interest – a strong interest – in establishing themselves in the state and taking responsibility for the country and its future.”
He also said the United States is expressing concerns directly to Israel over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“I have real concerns about the inadequacy of the assistance they are receiving,” Blinken said. He said the United States is “very directly engaged with Israel” on the topic.
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