WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release)— Hezbollah pulled out of the ruling coalition in Lebanon on Wednesday, forcing the collapse of Lebanon’s parliamentary government. U.S. officials reacted quickly:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, answering a question at a joint news conference with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al Thani: QUESTION: Thank you both. This question is for both foreign ministers. Secretary Clinton, could you give us bit more of a sense on what the U.S. thinks it can do to support the Lebanese Government, given in the past the U.S. has tried to support Mr. Hariri’s government and Hezbollah has taken to the streets? And do you think there’s a future for the tribunal if the Lebanese Government doesn’t support it? And for Foreign Minister Al Thani, in 2008, Qatar played a role in mediating in between the Lebanese factions to try to avoid a wider conflict. Does Qatar think there’s a role for the government again to serve as a mediator? Thank you. SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Jay, we view what happened today as a transparent effort by those forces inside Lebanon as well as interests outside Lebanon to subvert justice and undermine Lebanon’s stability and progress. When President Obama met with Prime Minister Hariri earlier today, the President commended the prime minister for his leadership in protecting and advancing the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon and for staying focused on the real needs and interests of the Lebanese people. We believe that the work of the special tribunal must go forward so justice can be served and impunity ended. We believe that the leaders of Lebanon have an ongoing responsibility to serve the interests of their own people, not outside forces. Trying to bring the government down as a way to undermine the special tribunal is an abdication of the responsibility, but it also will not work. This tribunal is a creation of the United Nations and the Security Council. It is supported by many governments, including my own. Its work will continue. And it is important that, as the prime minister and I discussed, we work with the Lebanese Government, the Lebanese people, and our other partners who share our interests in pursuing both stability and justice in Lebanon.” PRIME MINISTER AL THANI: If I may add, as you know, the stability of Lebanon becomes priority for us in Qatar, and I think for all our friends in the region and the United States. We know the tribunal and the stability of Lebanon – both of them is important for Lebanon. And I think now – I said yesterday when I had a press conference with the Prime Minister Erdogan that we have to think how to solve this problem in peaceful through responsible dialogue between the Lebanese. The Lebanese by themselves, they can help themselves. And I think our interference or our help is to help them to talk together and to try to reach a solution together. I think we have enough problem in the region that this problem we have to take care about it in a way to solve it, not to complicate it. And we are working by each minute and hour to do so.”
*
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee: “As the government of Lebanon appears to enter a period of transition at this crucial time, we must strongly and consistently support pro-democracy and pro-freedom Lebanese and the formation of a government free from the destructive influence of Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah. The Iran-Syria-Hezbollah axis is working to put an end to any hope for sovereignty, democracy, and freedom for Lebanon and the Lebanese people. The United States and other responsible nations must not repeat past mistakes where we failed to stand up to those who threaten Lebanon and all free nations. We must be vigilant against efforts to obstruct the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and to evade accountability for the assassination of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri.”
U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs: “”Today, the Lebanese government fell as the militant group Hezbollah withdrew from the unity cabinet led by Prime Minister Hariri. During this challenging time, I call for calm in Lebanon and for all political forces not to resort violence to achieve their political aims. Hezbollah’s activities have a direct impact on broader U.S. interests in the region, including inspiring militancy, threatening regional stability and complicating prospects for a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. As I expressed repeatedly during my visit to Beirut in July 2010, I support an independent and sovereign Lebanon and hope that its leaders can establish a government that reflects the democratic and peaceful aspirations of the Lebanese people.” On June 9th, 2010 Senator Casey chaired a Senate Foreign Relations Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs Subcommittee hearing on the threat posed by a resurgent Hezbollah.
*
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), a rankling Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee:
*
Preceding provided through the Public Policy Matters service