US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in an interview with Lebanese channel MTV that the United States will increase its support for the Lebanese Armed Forces in the coming days, with the goal of reducing Hezbollah's capabilities. The statement aligns with ongoing US efforts to strengthen the Lebanese state against the Iran-backed militia.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Lebanese channel MTV on Saturday that the United States will ramp up support for the Lebanese Armed Forces in the coming days, aiming to reduce Hezbollah's capabilities. The statement, reported by the Lebanese outlet, comes as part of a broader American push to strengthen the Lebanese state and weaken the Iran-backed militia.
The Zioneer has previously reported on US efforts to bolster the Lebanese army, including potential pilot programs in southern Lebanon and discussions about Hezbollah's disarmament. Hegseth's latest remarks follow earlier statements in which he described Israel's response in Lebanon as restrained and called on Iran to rein in Hezbollah.
The exact scale and timeline of the increased support were not specified in the interview. The US has been working with Lebanon's government and military to assert state control over territory where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence.
- StrongUS Secretary of State Rubio says US will help Lebanon 'take control' of territory to counter Hezbollah
- DevelopingUS Defense Secretary Hegseth: Israel's Lebanon response restrained, Iran must rein in Hezbollah
- DevelopingUS sanctions Lebanese Hezbollah-allied officials, demands disarmament
- StrongNetherlands escalates support for Lebanese army to weaken Hezbollah in south
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