International News
Khalilzad: Hizbullah Must Disarm Now
By Naharnet
Mar 26, 2008 - 6:05:11 AM

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Zalmay Khalilzad

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Zalmay Khalilzad has said Hizbullah must disarm "now" and urged member states to "generously support" the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
"I would like to underscore our deep concern about the illegal arms transfers across the Syrian-Lebanese border, and in particular claims by Hizbullah that it has replenished its military capacity since the 2006 war," Khalilzad told the 15-member Council on Tuesday.

"Hizbullah must disarm, and it must do so now," in accordance with Resolutions 1559 and 1701, Khalilzad added during the monthly meetings of the U.N. Security Council on the Middle East.

On the tribunal that will try the suspects in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination and related crimes, the ambassador said: "I urge all Council members to generously support the tribunal as a clear signal that the international community backs the effort of the Lebanese people to end the era of impunity for political assassinations in their country."

He reiterated support to Premier Fouad Saniora's government and pointed the finger at Syria and its allies in Lebanon for obstructing the election of a new president.

"Although the Lebanese agree on a candidate, Syria and its allies within Lebanon are using other preconditions to perpetuate the political stalemate.

"It should be clear, however, until a new president takes office, the United States has full confidence in, and fully supports, the legitimate Lebanese government in managing the affairs of the state and the Lebanese armed forces in continuing to provide security," Khalilzad said.

He also questioned the value of the Council's meetings on the Middle East, saying the angry speeches delivered often made the problem worse.

"The polarization and divisions of the United Nations membership over the conflict all too often manifest themselves as heated political statements," he said.

These "do little to help advance the cause of peace or help the Palestinian people in any tangible way," the diplomat added.