U.S. Hopes Lebanon Forms New Government “in the Coming Days”
Jeffrey Feltman, acting U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs said that his country hopes that Lebanon”s political factions will agree on a cabinet "in the coming days" and looks forward to working with the new government.
"Expectations are currently high that a cabinet could be announced within the coming days. We certainly hope this is the case," said Feltman.
Feltman”s comments came in prepared testimony for delivery to the House of Representatives” Foreign Affairs Committee”s subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.
"The Lebanese people have waited too long for their government to return to the work of ensuring security, economic development, and political dialogue for all Lebanese citizens," said Feltman.
"We look forward to working with the next Lebanese government and reiterate that our support for Lebanese sovereignty will not be compromised by our engagement with any other party," said the diplomat.
The power vacuum was highlighted late on Tuesday when a rocket fired from Lebanon slammed into northern Israel and the Jewish state retaliated with an artillery barrage.
On Wednesday morning, the Lebanese army discovered four more rockets, primed and ready to be fired at Israel from the border village of Hula, the origin of the previous day”s attack.