Lebanon: U.S. Leaders React to Government Collapse

In a readout from Laura Rozen of President Barack Obama’s meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, the White House remarked that Hezbollah’s efforts to collapse the government in Lebanon demonstrated, “their own fear and determination to block the government’s ability to conduct its business and advance the aspirations of all of the Lebanese people.”  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the collapse was a deliberate effort by Hezbollah and its allies to disrupt the U.N. tribunal and “subvert justice” in Lebanon.  State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley called for a new government to form peacefully in accordance with the Lebanese constitution.  He reiterated that the U.S. does not want “outside parties” to take advantage of Lebanon’s internal crisis.  Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, blamed the “Iran-Syria-Hezbollah axis” for the crisis and reiterated the U.S. must support pro-democracy forces in the country and, “stand up to those who threaten Lebanon and all free nations.”