Destroy Hezbollah’s weapons pipeline from Iran, support Lebanese army: Pompeo
The former CIA chief and top US diplomat in the first Trump administration called for increasing American support to Lebanon and its army while urging the complete destruction of Iran’s weapons pipeline to Beirut.
“Lebanon stands at a crossroads,” former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. “After decades of Iranian manipulation and Hezbollah’s stranglehold on the country, President Donald Trump has a historic opportunity to help the Lebanese people reclaim their nation while advancing key American interests,” he wrote in an op-ed for Fox News.
The Lebanese government recently adopted a plan to disarm Hezbollah and all other non-state groups in the country, despite strong opposition from the Iran-backed group.
The decision came on the heels of a crushing military defeat by Israel against Hezbollah after the latter began lobbing rockets in what it said was support for Hamas.
As part of the US-backed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Armed Forces were to replace dismantled Hezbollah outposts along the southern border.
The LAF has made slow but steady progress. More work needs to be done, according to US officials as well as the Lebanese government.
“We must work with our friends and allies to systematically destroy Iran’s weapons pipeline to Lebanon. Every rocket, every missile, every piece of military equipment that Iran moves into Lebanon must be identified and eliminated,” Pompeo said.
Another point of contention has been the renewal of the UN peacekeeping force (UNIFIL), which was set to be renewed by the UN Security Council. The vote has been delayed, and Washington wants to end the mandate for good.
Pompeo said UNIFIL’s “failed mission must come to an end.” He added: “With just a few weeks left of its mandate, now is the time to pull the plug on this United Nations boondoggle.”
While Pompeo cited the international community spending years discussing Lebanon’s problems, including a collapsed central bank and corrupt state institutions, he said Hezbollah’s armed presence would always be an obstacle.
“Lebanon cannot have two militaries. It cannot have one group that answers to Tehran while claiming to serve Beirut. There can be only one legitimate force capable of defending Lebanon: the Lebanese Armed Forces,” Pompeo said.
He added, “The US must also support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). The LAF represents Lebanon’s best hope for unified, legitimate governance. We must provide them with everything they need, including intelligence sharing, advanced hardware, comprehensive leadership training and other necessary support.”
