We Support State Institutions so that Lebanese Do Not Resort to Hizbullah
U.S. deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg has said the U.S. supports Lebanese state institutions in part so that people don”t turn to Hizbullah for services and security.
Steinberg”s comment came during a testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Development.
He said the U.S. "is supporting Lebanon”s legitimate state institutions, in part so that the Lebanese do not turn to Hizbullah for the provision of services or security."
The testimony mainly focused on the challenges posed by Iran to U.S. interests.
"We have been working with our regional partners to help them develop the kind of cooperation that will enable them to better manage the political, diplomatic, and security challenges Iran poses," Steinberg said.
"Examples include the GCC+3 forum to address Iran; inter-Arab cooperation to help address the political crisis in Lebanon; security and military talks with the Gulf states; and the increasing efforts on the part of Arab governments in working with and supporting the government of Iraq," he added.
Steinberg told the committee that Tehran”s "aggressive foreign policy" threatens both regional stability and broader U.S. interests.
"Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism, providing financial and other support to Hizbullah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, certain Iraqi militant groups, and the Taliban," he said.
Steinberg added: "In recent years Iran has contributed to instability in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories."