UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council called on all Lebanese parties Friday to implement a policy disassociating themselves from any external conflicts “as an important priority,” a statement that appears clearly aimed at Hezbollah which has sent fighters to Syria. The council statement issued Friday night welcomed the Jan. 31 announcement of a national unity government in Lebanon, which broke a nine-month deadlock. But Hezbollah, the powerful Shiite group, made significant gains at the expense of the largest Sunni party and controls three ministries including the health ministry. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Wednesday the group would defend Iran in the event of war with the United States. The axis groups the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad with Shiite militias in Iraq and Hezbollah.

Source: Washington Post February 09, 2019 00:44 UTC