Rubio urges Lebanon to resist Hezbollah pressure over seized explosives
Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressed Lebanon President Joseph Aoun not to return to Hezbollah a truck full of explosives it attempted to smuggle into Beirut several days ago, according to a State Department official and another source with knowledge of the call. Why it matters: The issue is a test case for the Lebanese government's resolve to stand up to Hezbollah and implement its policy of…
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun not to return a truck containing explosives seized from Hezbollah, according to a State Department official. The truck was intercepted last week while attempting to smuggle the explosives into Beirut. The explosives, weighing around 780 kilograms, included TNT and C-4.
Two suspects were arrested for transporting the shipment. Hezbollah claimed the explosives were for use against the Israeli military in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese government faces pressure from Hezbollah and its allies to release the suspects and return the explosives. U.S. officials stressed that any return of the explosives to Hezbollah should not occur.
Rubio also raised Lebanon's 1955 Boycott Law during the call, which prohibits contact with Israelis, citing its use in politically motivated prosecutions. Israel continues to strike southern Lebanon, claiming it is targeting Hezbollah. Aoun asked Rubio to urge Israel to cease these attacks and allow farmers to access their fields.
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- Hezbollah claims ownership of explosive-laden vehicle seized by Lebanese army thenationalnews.com
