Photo courtesy of Anadolu
The United States said Hezbollah must give up its weapons for Lebanon to become fully safe and sovereign, while stressing that the Lebanese government alone represents the country in talks over its future.
A US State Department spokesperson said Washington considers the Lebanese government the sole legitimate interlocutor under the Trilateral Framework.
The spokesperson said the United States supports efforts to strengthen Lebanese sovereignty and maintained that Hezbollah’s disarmament is central to that goal.
Washington also reiterated that any move by Hezbollah to surrender its weapons should be coordinated through the Lebanese state, which is already in dialogue with the United States.
The State Department accused Hezbollah of resisting talks with Lebanon, the United States and Israel because of its ties to Iran.
The comments came as Washington continued to push for implementation of a US-mediated framework agreement reached by Lebanon and Israel on June 26.
Under the agreement, Israel is expected to gradually withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory while the Lebanese army expands its deployment and armed groups, including Hezbollah, disarm.
US-backed discussions on the arrangement are continuing, even as Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon persist.