If you are like me, you're wondering why Lebanon failed to implement 1559. Well, here is some insight into the reason. Incidentially, prominent pro-democracy figures in Lebanon have been assassinated since the Cedar Revolution of 2004: Samir Kassir, Edmond Naim (died of "old age"), and Gebran Tuemi.
Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch has criticized the meeting between Gen. Michel Aoun and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, saying it could delay the implementation of an international decision that calls on Hizbullah to disarm.
Speaking at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, Welch said the U.S. viewed the meeting between Aoun and Nasrallah as a discussion between two political currents, and not a government discussion. But when asked if he believed that the implementation of U.N. Resolution 1559 has been undermined by the statement of cooperation between Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement, Welch said: "We are concerned about any understandings, whatever their status, that would appear to postpone such a decision."
Earlier this week, Hizbullah and the FPM issued a 10-point joint statement of cooperation stating that holding arms was an honorable and sacred way for a resistance group to defend its occupied land. The two parties also said that the Lebanese should take responsibility for protecting Lebanon especially that Israel occupies the Shabaa Farms, detains Lebanese resistance fighters and threatens the country.
Welch reiterated Washington's position on Hizbullah, saying the Shiite party is considered "terrorist" under American law. "It receives foreign funding and it tends to respond to foreign guidance," he said.
The U.S. official said Washington objected to comments by some Lebanese politicians that have justified Hizbullah's "terrorist actions" committed in the past, such as the taking of hostages. Asked if he was referring to Aoun, Welch said, "yes." Aoun reportedly had said that Hizbullah and the FPM were the only two parties in Lebanon who were not involved in mass murders during the country's 1975-1990 year civil war.
"American citizens have suffered at the hands of this organization (Hizbullah) and that's why we consider it a terrorist organization, and there is no reason in our view why there should be any excuse or any loophole for them to change their behavior and disarm, as according to the rules of the international community as expressed in 1559," said Welch.
Welch, who visited Lebanon last month, said Washington deals with the established institutions of the government. "And we ask them to respect the will of the international community." He said the U.S. administration understands the need for the Lebanese to have a dialogue with Hizbullah, but he stressed that such a dialogue should be directed toward the implementation of UN Resolution 1559.