(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — United States Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with Lebanese government officials in Beirut and Laqlouq on Sunday, during a two-day diplomatic visit to the country.
Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil welcomed Blinken and U.S. Ambassador David Hale to his vacation home in Laqlouq, where they discussed the Iran nuclear deal and regional security concerns.
Upon arrival in Lebanon, Blinken also met with Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Tammam Salam, and Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt, who hosted a private dinner in his honor.
Blinken will meet Army commander Gen. Jean Kahwaji, Maronite Patriarch Beshara Boutros Rai, Grand Mufti Abdel-Latif Derian, and Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh during the visit.
He will also meet with humanitarian officials, according to a statement by the U.S. Department of State.
During a television interview with Al-Jadeed, Blinken said it was “hard” to understand Hezbollah’s actions.
“If I’m Lebanese and I want my country to be peaceful and stable, it’s hard to understand their actions,” he said. By supporting the Syrian government in the war against the rebels, Hezbollah is contributing to the massive influx of refugees into Lebanon, and helping ISIS gain recruits.”
Blinken will also visit Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Tunisia in the coming week to meet with security officials in the region. He will travel to Riyadh on April 7, Abu Dhabi on April 8, Muscat April 9, and Tunis on April 10.