WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the escalating violence in Lebanon:
“I am deeply concerned by hostilities continuing in Lebanon despite the ceasefire and ongoing negotiations. I urge all parties to deescalate to give the negotiations a real chance to bring genuine change.
“The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) remain the best strategic counterweight to Hezbollah’s influence. The LAF need sustained American support, and any LAF hesitancy to meet the security challenges posed by Hezbollah would be deeply concerning. It is vital that Lebanese security forces establish full control throughout the country and that Hezbollah is disarmed in conjunction with the cessation of Israeli land and air incursions into Lebanon. I urge all parties to do everything in their power to give the negotiators the best chance to achieve a secure future for all Israelis and Lebanese alike.”
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