Feltman Says Hizbullah Violating International Resolutions, Subjecting Lebanese to Dangers
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman on Wednesday said that Hizbullah is a strong institution, but also a militia that is violating international resolutions and subjecting the Lebanese people to dangers.
In an interview with al-Jazeera satellite TV network, Feltman added that the Lebanese Army has to extend its authority over all Lebanese territories.
Feltman said that the U.S. problem with Hizbullah goes back to the eighties of last century, when hundreds of people were killed.
The U.S. accuses Hizbullah of a number of attacks on its soldiers in Beirut during the civil war years.
Feltman accused Hizbullah of not committing to international resolutions, and added that there are Lebanese territories under Hizbullah”s authority instead of that of the Lebanese State.
The U.S. top diplomat stressed that Hizbullah is part of the Lebanese government, parliament, and political spectrum. However, Feltman added that his administration does not have relations with Hizbullah, and that it follows a policy based on respecting the opinion of the Lebanese in choosing who represents them in parliament and government.