The US Embassy in Beirut circulated a statement by the "Friends of Lebanon," affirming support for Lebanese sovereignty and state monopoly on arms: We, the Embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, Canada, and Japan, as friends of Lebanon, affirm our strong support for the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the state monopoly of arms and that the state alone should make decisions regarding war and peace.
We take note of the steps taken by the Lebanese authorities in the Dahr al-Baydar case and encourage a swift, independent judicial process, free from political interference, that ensures full accountability.
It is also essential for Lebanon in the current situation to have a clear public commitment from all members of parliament and all parties affirming their support for the President's and the Prime Minister's declarations that only the Lebanese state has the right to decide on war and peace.
We reaffirm our ultimate desire to see the full restoration of effective Lebanese sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory.
We take note of the steps taken by the Lebanese authorities in the Dahr al-Baydar case and encourage a swift, independent judicial process, free from political interference, that ensures full accountability.
It is also essential for Lebanon in the current situation to have a clear public commitment from all members of parliament and all parties affirming their support for the President's and the Prime Minister's declarations that only the Lebanese state has the right to decide on war and peace.
We reaffirm our ultimate desire to see the full restoration of effective Lebanese sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory.
