US says Ahmadinejad’s upcoming visit to Lebanon is not a good idea
By APWednesday, October 6, 2010
US: Ahmadinejad trip to Lebanon is not a good idea
BEIRUT — The U.S. has raised concerns about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit to Lebanon next week.
U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters in Washington on Tuesday that Iran is undermining Lebanon’s sovereignty through its association with groups like Hezbollah.
He said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has raised the issue with the Lebanese president.
But Crowley said it’s up to the Lebanese government if Ahmadinejad makes the trip.
Iran is a key supporter of Lebanon’s militant group Hezbollah, believed to funnel it weapons and millions of dollars in funding, though Tehran denies arming the Shiite group. Hezbollah, also closely allied to Syria, boasts a heavy arsenal of rockets capable of reaching deep inside Israel.
