Date: Feb 14, 2018 Source: The Daily Star Tillerson: Hezbollah part of political process in Lebanon BEIRUT: U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Wednesday said that it must be acknowledged that Hezbollah is part of the political process in Lebanon. "We support a free, democratic Lebanon free of influence of others, and we know that Lebanese Hezbollah is influenced by Iran. This is influence that we think is unhelpful in Lebanon’s long-term future," Tillerson said during a visit to Jordan, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department. "We also have to acknowledge the reality that they also are part of the political process in Lebanon," he said, and added that Lebanon was taking positive steps including adopting the policy of dissociation. He said this was "to send a signal as to their view that they do not want to see any of [Hezbollah] involved in foreign conflicts and have asked that they bring all of their people back from the conflict in Yemen." Tillerson said the U.S. supports the democratic process in Lebanon. "We support strengthening the [Lebanese Army], so that there is a legitimate security force under full control of the government of Lebanon to provide the security the Lebanese people deserve," he was quoted as saying. Tillerson’s remarks were significant due to the fact that the United States considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization, and does not differentiate between the group’s political and military wings, as some European countries do. The comments came a day after he said that the United States doesn’t have a problem with the Lebanese people, but rather with Hezbollah, in an interview from Kuwait with Al Hurra TV. Asked if the Lebanese government was cooperating with the U.S. in regards to putting more pressure on Hezbollah, Tillerson said, “Well, it is – it’s a very good question, and we’re very mindful of our issue is with [Hezbollah], a terrorist organization; it is not with the Lebanese people, it is not with the Lebanese government. So we try to be very precise in the actions we take to not harm the Lebanese people.” Tillerson added that the U.S. needs support from the Lebanese government to deal with the activities carried out by Hezbollah “that are unacceptable to the rest of the world.” Responding to a question on the potential for a war between Lebanon and Israel, the top U.S. diplomat said his country is trying to avoid conflict as best as possible. “We will continue to play a role there to strengthen an independent government, again, in Lebanon, to strengthen independent Lebanese security forces.” Tillerson said Lebanon is going through “what will likely be a long transition period,” commending the new dissociation policy adopted by the government. “And we’re there to support Lebanon through this long transition.” He is expected to arrive in Beirut Thursday for a one-day visit, where he is set to meet with President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri.