Hale: Hezbollah's 'militia' is a risk to Lebanon's stability

US Ambassador David Hale reiterated commitment to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces as they fight terrorism and secure Lebanon's borders, deeming Hezbollah's arms as one of the risks to Lebanon's stability.   

"Lebanon's leaders had entered into a National Dialogue to address them. They had agreed to the Baabda Declaration as an important milestone on the path to stability. Until that dialogue advances, and its principles are not just agreed to but adhered to, the risks to this country's stability will remain very real.  High on the list of risks is the continued ability of one militia, Hezbollah, to bear arms and act with impunity," he stated at the American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce.

"So long as that is the case, stability will be absent, and growth impeded.  The security institutions of the state should have the capability, and sole legitimacy, to defend Lebanon's territory.  For they alone - and not a militia - are accountable to the people.  Decisions of war and peace, of life and death - which affect every Lebanese citizen - should be vested in a constitutional government accountable to the Lebanese people, not a militia accountable to a foreign government," he added.
       

Hale noted that "every day that goes by with the presidency vacant is another day when Lebanon is deprived of this important symbol of national unity."  

"The election of a president is a decision entirely for the Lebanese to take, but take it, they must," he affirmed.

The envoy said it was remarkable that the Lebanese economy is managing to grow given the domestic and regional difficulties, commending the Lebanese people's "extraordinary resilience" even in the face of those significant challenges.

Hale noted that commercial activity between Lebanon and America is witnessing a golden decade, pointing out that US exports have quadrupled since 2005, exceeding $1.5 billion in 2013.  

"America ranked as Lebanon's top trading partner from 2008 to 2012.  There remains a huge potential for even more trade and business opportunities between our two countries," he stressed.
 

"Just think what it would be like if Lebanon was able to focus on what the Lebanese people are demanding:  real economic reforms that create jobs and growth, improve the infrastructure, provide cost-effective electricity for all, boost internet service, and eliminate unnecessary burdens on business. Your businesses would excel. Foreign investment would soar. People would prosper."
 

Hale deemed stability as the missing key to economic success,  stressing that the most potent weapon against the spread of extremist ideology is a counter message "that denies the validity of extremism and violence, promotes positive values, and reaches those most at risk of recruitment and radicalization."
 

"Together, we are stronger than ISIL in every way, from the struggle on the battlefield to the war of ideas.  In fact, the most important fight against ISIL is taking place on the ideological battleground," he said. "ISIL represents no religion; it represents no faith."
 

"Together, we can degrade and defeat these extremists, but we need to be strong, unified, and united.  This is why the United States is leading a broad-based coalition against ISIL in partnership with key Arab allies and more than 60 countries from around the world."