Rubio says U.S. won't negotiate with Hezbollah but with Lebanese state

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio blamed Hezbollah Friday for the situation in Lebanon, accusing the group of being fully dependent on Iranian support.

"The reason why Lebanon faces bombings, the reason why Lebanon faces violence, is because of Hezbollah. It is Hezbollah that’s imposing this on them," Rubio told reporters during a visit to Rome.

He said the goal was "a strong Lebanese government that doesn’t have an armed Hezbollah operating within its national territory imposing a threat to any of its neighbors," adding that Italy could assist "in cutting off the illicit financing that supports Hezbollah and the danger they pose."

"Hezbollah wouldn’t exist without Iran’s support," Rubio said, adding that he thinks the group has been weakened, but "is still capable of inflicting damage and doing terroristic activities, as we’ve seen".

Rubio said the U.S. won't negotiate with Hezbollah nor with Iran over Hezbollah, but with the Lebanese state.