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Ros-Lehtinen Expresses Concern about Growing Syrian Influence in Lebanon to UN Special Representative

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, met earlier today with Terje Roed-Larsen, UN Special Representative for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1559, which called on “foreign forces” to withdraw from Lebanon and stop interfering in Lebanon’s internal politics. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“I am concerned that U.S. and international efforts in Lebanon may not be advancing critical security objectives concerning Lebanese sovereignty, regional security, and Hezbollah’s growing influence and threat.

“Hezbollah, with the help of Iran and Syria, is massively rearming, the Lebanese government is becoming more and more subordinate to Iran and Syria, and the line between the Lebanese Armed Forces and Hezbollah is gradually being erased.

“We need to have a clear vision of what the end-state is and how we can achieve it.

“Above all, we must protect the security of the U.S. and our allies, uphold Lebanon’s sovereignty, and ensure that those responsible for Prime Minister Hariri’s murder are held responsible.”

NOTE: UNSCR 1559 also calls for militias in Lebanon to disarm and disband; for the holding of fair and free elections; and for the extension of the Lebanese Government’s authority over all of Lebanon.

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