WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding the government in Lebanon.
"We are at a critical moment in Lebanon. The Lebanese people have an opportunity to break Iran’s stranglehold on Beirut. We commend the current and previous U.S. administrations’ work to isolate Iran, establish and maintain a ceasefire, and reduce Hezbollah’s influence. Indeed, President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam represent the best opportunity to restore Lebanese sovereignty and deliver a prosperous future for the people of Lebanon. Nevertheless, there is significant work to do.
“The new government must implement reforms recommended by the International Monetary Fund. The United States opposes any efforts to undermine the legitimate government, engage in corruption, and provide space for Hezbollah. Speaker Nabih Berri must propel Lebanon into the future or risk returning to a broken government. Likewise, Ministers Rakan Nasreddine, Mohammad Haidar, and Yassine Jaber must fully support Lebanon’s revival.
“Government control of customs, the airport, and routes in and out of Lebanon are critical to ensure Hezbollah continues to wither under a lack of resources.
“The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) remain the best strategic counterweight to Hezbollah’s influence and need sustained American support. We are counting on President Aoun and his government to fulfill the requirements of the ceasefire. LAF movement to meet ceasefire requirements has been too slow. The U.S. should be prepared to expand assistance to the LAF to support expeditious fulfillment of the ceasefire obligations. However, any LAF hesitancy to meet the security challenges in the south would be deeply concerning and force the United States to re-evaluate its approach.
“The United States supports a safe, secure, and prosperous Lebanon. The Lebanese people have done the work to take the first steps in that direction. Now it is up to Lebanon's political leadership to deliver results on economic reforms, eliminating Hezbollah's financial flows and bolstering the LAF as the legitimate security guarantor of the Lebanese people."
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