BEIRUT, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale said Monday that the United States supports Lebanon's legal governmental institutions including Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Forces, local media reported.
"We support Lebanon's Armed Forces and Internal Forces to secure the country's borders and guarantee the sovereignty of the Lebanese government while preserving Lebanon's internal security," Hale was quoted as saying by the National News Agency.
Hale's remarks came during his meeting with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon and the region in addition to bilateral ties between the U.S. and Lebanon.
Hale said that Lebanon has the right to defend itself through its legal institutions. "It is not acceptable to have a militia outside the control of the government," Hale said hinting at Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, a statement released by the U.S. embassy in Lebanon Saturday said Hale's visit to Lebanon would focus on emphasizing his country's concerns about Hezbollah's destabilizing activities in Lebanon and the region including the recent discovery of tunnels extending from Lebanon to northern Israel.
