“The United States condemns the attacks that Hezbollah, a long-time proxy of the Iranian regime, has launched against Israel,” said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz. Speaking at the Security Council he said, “Hezbollah has yet again made it clear that it does not represent nor does it defend the people of Lebanon.”
“It defends the interests of the Iranian regime. It is nothing more than a proxy and frankly an obstacle to Lebanon becoming a peaceful, stable, and functioning state. Something I think we would all like to see and encourage. We recognize Israel’s legitimate security needs, and its right to defend itself from the Iranian regime and Hezbollah, which are two sides of the same coin.”
“[W]hat country,” said Ambassador Waltz, “can legitimately say it’s better off or more stable because of Iranian influence over the decades. Yemen? No. Lebanon? No. Syria? Absolutely not. Iraq? No. They’re all trying to rid themselves of this cancer that has spread over the decades, this disease of instability and chaos.”
Thankfully, the United States is taking bold action to rid the world of Iran’s malign influence.
The United States welcomes the historic March 2 decision of the Lebanese Council of Ministers to immediately prohibit Hezbollah’s military and security activities. As the government of Lebanon has made clear, the activities of Hezbollah disregard the will of the majority of the Lebanese people.
“The next milestone is implementation,” said Ambassador Waltz.
“Lebanon’s security services must enforce this policy and prosecute those who violate it. Now is the time for the government of Lebanon to take back control of the entirety of its country. The United States absolutely supports that endeavor and that mission. We urge our friends in Lebanon to not let this moment slip away. Our message is clear: take your country back.”
The United States also commends the actions of the Lebanese government to expel Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has undermined Lebanese sovereignty for decades and provides money and weapons to Hezbollah’s terrorist plots in Lebanon and across the globe.
“The world must now come together in supporting Lebanon’s efforts to exercise its sovereignty across every inch of Lebanese territory,” urged Ambassador Waltz.
The United States is providing immediate, life-saving humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of now displaced Lebanese. Since 2012, the United States has provided more than $4.4 billion in humanitarian assistance to support Lebanon.
“The way forward involves the international community standing firmly in support of Lebanon’s efforts to exercise its territorial sovereignty and restore state authority,” said Ambassador Waltz.
“We will continue to work alongside partners to create lasting peace and security in Lebanon.”
US Supports Lebanon's Ouster of Hezbollah
- Policy Office
“The United States condemns the attacks that Hezbollah, a long-time proxy of the Iranian regime, has launched against Israel,” said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.