New Administration to Adopt Lebanon Policy Similar to Bush’s
Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Near East Affairs and former US Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman said that his country was supportive of a free, independent and sovereign Lebanon and called on Lebanon’s neighbors to take this matter into consideration.
In an interview with LBC television on Tuesday, Feltman said he expected that the new US administration would have a special Lebanon policy similar to that of US President George Bush.
Feltman questioned why Syria continued supporting Palestinian military bases in Kousaya and other regions adding that closing those bases was an important sign for his country.
Feltman said that the US was coordinating with the Lebanese army upon the latter’s request. Iran should support the Lebanese state, he said, rather than concentrating its policy on building a state within the state.
About Hezbollah Feltman said, “We understand that Hezbollah has deep roots in Lebanon, and this should let it play a role in the institutions and Parliament as a domestic player.”
Feltman said that US supported March 14 coalition’s positions and said the US wanted to support a state in Lebanon responsible for its land and population.