Lebanon Not a Bargaining Chip
U.S. Senator John Kerry stressed that Lebanon is not a bargaining chip and said the U.S. would only deal with a disarmed Hizbullah that recognizes Israel”s right to exist.
"Lebanon is not a bargaining chip. It is a free and democratic country… In all my talks with (Syrian) President (Bashar) Assad I said clearly that there is a need to take hands off Lebanon," Kerry told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat in an interview published Monday.
"Under all circumstances and any circumstance this will never happen," he said about reports that the U.S. will compromise Lebanon at the expense of Syria.
"Lebanon should be able to hold impartial elections freely and independently," said the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Asked if the U.S. would recognize a government led by Hizbullah if the party wins the elections, Kerry said: "I don”t know what the president would decide in light of the results. Let the elections speak for themselves."
"Let”s take things step by step," the Senator said.
He told al-Hayat the Obama administration made it clear that the U.S. wants democracy and not terrorism in Lebanon.
On Hizbullah”s arms, the Senator said that the U.S. would work with the party if it hands over its arms, rejects violence, works within the country”s democratic system and recognizes Israel.
"They have to be ready at some stage to recognize Israel”s right to exist," Kerry said when asked if recognizing Israel is a U.S. condition in case Hizbullah wins the June 7 parliamentary elections.