US says Hezbollah doesn't want to talk to anyone
A U.S. Department of State spokesperson has said that "the Trilateral Framework clearly states that the Lebanese Government is the sole legitimate interlocutor for discussions about the future of Lebanon and on behalf of the Lebanese people."
"The United States stands with the Lebanese people and wants Lebanon to be a safe and sovereign country. For that to happen, Hizballah must disarm," the spokesperson added.
"As (U.S.) Ambassador (to Lebanon Michel) Issa has said, we want nothing more than for them (Hezbollah) to hand over their weapons," the spokesperson went on to say.
"When Hezbollah decides it is ready to do so, it can talk with the Lebanese state, with whom we are already in dialogue and tell them it is ready to turn in its weapons. Then we could try to bring the views close to each other," the spokesperson added.
But "as it stands, Hezbollah so far does not want to talk to the Lebanese state, nor talk to us, nor talk to Israel, because it is simply taking orders from Iran," the State Dept. spokesperson noted.
They also called on Hezbollah to "do what’s best for Lebanon and the Lebanese people."
The remarks come amid of flurry of reports, rumors and denials about a possible meeting between U.S. and Hezbollah officials.
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://prod.naharnet.com/stories/en/322147 |