The new American ambassador to Beirut has urged Damascus to let the Lebanese choose their president and elect members of their parliament without external influence, adding that Hizbullah should voluntarily disarm, As Safir reported on Wednesday.
"There is a presidential election in autumn and parliamentary elections the following spring in Lebanon. We want to see both events reflecting the will of the Lebanese people," Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman told the Beirut-based newspaper.
"Lebanon has the right to exercise full sovereignty on its entire territory after many years since the civil war had ended," Feltman conveyed.
Feltman was asked whether Washington would be pushing toward disarming Hizbullah. "In order to accept Hizbullah as a lawful political partner in the area, it has to disarm and the Lebanese government has to establish its sovereignty on its territories. The Lebanese people are aware of the dangers from the existence of armed militias not subordinate to a central authority," Feltman responded. (albawaba.com)
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