Welch Criticizes Aoun for his Alliance with Hizbullah

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U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch has criticized Michel Aoun for his alliance with Hizbullah, recommending that the former general examine the consequences of this partnership.
"Unfortunately, we don't understand General Aoun's position. He supported a party which has a militia that fought a war in the summer," Welch said in an interview with Kalam el-Nas on LBCI television late Thursday. His remarks were instantaneously translated into Arabic through an interpreter.

He was referring to the July-August war between Hizbullah and Israel which was sparked by the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border Hizbullah raid.

Welch said Aoun should "very precisely examine the consequences of his partnership with those people (Hizbullah)."

On the Hizbullah-led open-ended sit-in to topple Prime Minister Fouad Saniora, Welch said he believes that the opposition's stands are not united.

However, Welch urged the rival political parties to resume "democratic talks on the future situation in Lebanon."

Responding to charges by Syrian Vice President Farouk el-Sharaa in which he accused Washington of seeking instability in Lebanon, Welch said: "Sharaa is an expert on instability and interference in Lebanon, but he is wrong with regard to the United States policy."

"Syria's influence in Lebanon is still obvious, and the problem is not with the United States policy," Welch added. His remarks were published in Arabic by several Lebanese newspapers on Friday.

Beirut, 12 Jan 07, 08:28


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