Washington will not provide an economic bailout for Lebanon without far-reaching reforms that also address Hezbollah’s role at Beirut port, US undersecretary of state David Hale said on Wednesday.
“We will not be providing a bailout or long-term assistance for the Lebanese government before undertaking serious reforms,” Mr Hale said.
“That era is over. There is really no choice any longer.”
He said that the leadership in Lebanon had hit “rock bottom”.
Mr Hale told The National that the issue of maritime demarcation between Lebanon and Israel came up in his visit to Beirut last week.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun invited the US to mediate with Israel in a call with Donald Trump on August 7.
Mr Hale welcomed the Lebanese government's decision to allow the FBI to take part in the investigation of the blast.
He served as US ambassador to Lebanon between 2013 and 2015, but shied away from commenting on the next Lebanese government after the resignation of prime minister Hassan Diab.
Asked if the US would mind the Hezbollah taking part in the next Cabinet, Mr Hale did not object.
Washington has dealt with successive governments in Beirut that had Hezbollah members since 2008.
Instead, the US appears focused on reforms that the next government should undertake before it receives any outside assistance.
“Hezbollah is part of the corrupt, self-serving system in Lebanon,” Mr Hale said.
He said the Lebanese public was now aware of this, and that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s effigy was being burnt by protesters in downtown Beirut.
After his three-night visit to Beirut following the explosion, Mr Hale described the public anger as “extremely potent”.
“It will take a long time to repair,” he said.
Mr Hale gave a long list of reforms that the US hoped to see in Lebanon, including economic diversification, revenue distribution and Hezbollah’s access to the ports.
Assistant secretary of state David Schenker is due to visit Lebanon next week to follow up on Mr Hale’s trip.
The US is also closely co-ordinating with the French government.
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Protesters face water cannon from riot police during a demonstration organised by supporters of Hezbollah, Lebanese communist party, and other Lebanese national parties at the US embassy against US interference in Lebanon's affairs, in Awkar area north-east Beirut, Lebanon. EPA -
Protesters backed by Hezbollah, the Lebanese communist party and others during a demonstration against the United States' interference in Lebanon's affairs, near the US embassy in Awkar area, Beirut, Lebanon. EPA -
Protesters try to remove barbed wire during a demonstration by supporters of Hezbollah, Lebanese communist party, and other Lebanese national parties during a demonstration at the US embassy against US interference in Lebanon's affairs, in Awkar area north-east Beirut, Lebanon. EPA -
Protesters carry a picture of Hezbollah commander Imad Moughnyeh during a demonstration by supporters of Hezbollah, Lebanese communist party, and other Lebanese national parties at the US embassy against US interference in Lebanon's affairs, in Awkar area northeast Beirut, Lebanon. EPA -
Lebanese army soldiers in riot gear arrive to the scene where supporters of Hezbollah and communist groups protest against US interference in Lebanon's affairs, near the American embassy, in Aukar north-east of Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo -
A Hezbollah supporter holds a placard during a protest against US interference in Lebanon's affairs, near the American embassy, in Aukar north-east of Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo -
Protesters pull barbed-wire fence off a street during an anti-US demonstration near the American embassy in Awkar, north-east Beirut. AFP -
Protesters during an anti-US demonstration near the American embassy in Awkar, north-east of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP -
A protester chants slogans as he is flanked by Lebanese police during an anti-US demonstration outside the American embassy in Awkar, north-east of the capital Beirut. AFP -
Hezbollah supporters and communist groups throw stones at riot police during a protest against US interference in Lebanon's affairs, near the American embassy in Aukar, north-east of Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo
