The U.S. charge d’affaires to Lebanon reiterated Friday during a meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati his country’s support of Lebanon’s disassociation policy, and expressed concern that Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria could drag the country into conflict.
Richard Mills Jr. and Mikati discussed bilateral relations, the security situation and regional developments, according to a U.S. Embassy statement.
“Mr. Mills expressed the United States’ grave concern and condemned the continued shelling of Lebanese territory from Syria. He reiterated the United States’ support for the principles of the Baabda Declaration and Lebanon’s disassociation policy,” the statement said.
“Mr. Mills also expressed the United States’ concern over Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria, fighting on behalf of the Assad regime, which risks drawing Lebanon into the conflict and is counter to the Lebanese government’s policies,” the statement added.
Mills urged all parties to avoid actions that exacerbate the Syrian crisis, increase the probability of a spillover of violence and have negative impact on civilians. He renewed Washington’s commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon, according to the statement.
