Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil stressed that Hezbollah is a Lebanese party, has a wide popular support, as well as elected deputies, not a terrorist group.
“We do not want our ties with the United States to be affected and we seek to work together in order to resolve the problems,” he said.
Bassil added that Lebanon’s stability and national unity serve both the Lebanese and US interests so that Lebanon can remain an model in the region.
Following his meeting with his US counterpart Mike Pompeo at the Foreign Ministry, Bassil noted that they discussed the issue of the borders, stressing that their priority is to maintain sovereignty and to give Lebanon the chance to restore its rights without wasting its resources.
He also called on US companies to take part in energy tenders.
On another note, the minister emphasized Lebanon’s commitment to the UN resolution 1701 and to maintaining calm at the border region, stressing Lebanon’s right to defend itself and resist occupation.
The Lebanese minister pointed out that the United States supports the legitimate institutions in Lebanon, in particular the Lebanese Armed Forces that guarantees stability.
“We appreciate and are grateful for the aid provided by the US to the army and security apparatuses,” he added.
Bassil also explained to Pompeo the danger posed by the displacement on the unique Lebanese model, stressing that “Lebanon does not seek to interfere in the affairs of others, so that others would not interfere in its affairs.”