Feltman Insists U.S. Will Not Deal with Hizbullah
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffery Feltman said Hizbullah should be disarmed and become a political party that functions in accordance with the Lebanese constitution.
Feltman, in an interview with Alhurra Arabic language satellite TV network, said that Hizbullah should abide by U.N. Security Council resolutions that call for the disarming of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias.
Feltman reiterated that the U.S. does not and will not deal with Hizbullah. He said Washington does not deal with a party that threatened its people through the use of arms in May 2008.
He told Alhurra that the U.S. looks forward to cooperate with the new Lebanese government and its people in order to strengthen its institutions, independence and sovereignty.
On U.S. aid to Lebanon, the top official reiterated that assistance depends on the moves the new government will make.
Asked about possible cabinet ministers, Feltman said that it is up to the Lebanese people to decide the formation of the cabinet.