Pompeo Says Hezbollah Stands In Way Of Lebanese People's Dreams

Pompeo Says Hezbollah Stands in Way of Lebanese People's Dreams

Hezbollah is preventing the Lebanese people from moving forward toward a better future, US Secretary of State said during a visit to Beirut on Friday

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 22nd March, 2019) Hezbollah is preventing the Lebanese people from moving forward toward a better future, US Secretary of State said during a visit to Beirut on Friday.

"Hezbollah stands in the way of the Lebanese people's dreams," Pompeo said in remarks delivered alongside Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil.

Bassil, in turn, said that he and other senior Lebanese officials told Pompeo that Hezbollah is a political party with elected representatives who serve in the government.

"Of course, we spoke about Hezbollah," Bassil said. "And of course, we assured him that in our opinion, Hezbollah is a Lebanese party, not a terrorist group."

Pompeo accused Hezbollah of putting people at risk by making "unilateral and unaccountable decisions."

"Hezbollah's armed campaigns are squarely opposed to the interests of Lebanese people," he said.

During his visit to Beirut, Pompeo discussed the issue of Hezbollah with senior Lebanese leaders including President Michel Aoun, Prime Minsiter Rafik Hariri and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the State Department said in readouts of the meetings.

Aoun leads Lebanon's Free Patriotic Movement political party, and Berri is the leader of the Amal party. Both groups are allied with Hezbollah in Lebanese politics.