Kerry concerned over security situation in Lebanon

US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed his concerns late Wednesday about terrorist attacks and "security incidents" inside Lebanon, but praised Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and the Lebanese Armed Forces for their "extraordinary work." "President Suleiman has worked tirelessly to disassociate Lebanon from the war in Syria, an effort that I think everyone here both understands and supports," said Kerry as he delivered remarks at the meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon at the United Nations in New York. "Regrettably, Hezbollah is obviously putting its own interests, its own ideology, its own external purposes above those of the well-being of the Lebanese people, in conjunction with external backers," he added. "The United States has supported (peacekeeping efforts) with USD 82 million in assistance this year, providing training and equipment to promote Lebanon's unity and sovereignty." "I join with others here to commend Lebanon for its remarkable efforts to provide for more than 800,000 Syrian refugees - a burden hard to describe to any country when you consider that this is a nation of just over four million people," Kerry explained, announcing that President Barack Obama just added USD 74 million in humanitarian assistance to the 180 million that the US has already provided this year for host communities and refugees. Kerry announced an additional USD 30 million, for Lebanon to deal with the influx of Syrians feeling the civil war in their country. "I want to make it clear: The United States will continue to stand with President Suleiman and the Lebanese people as they struggle to meet these urgent needs," he stressed. "For our part, the United States has committed USD 61.2 million in economic and development assistance this year alone and we will remain committed to trying to strengthen Lebanon's civil society." Turning to the country's internal politics, Kerry noted, "the state of Lebanon and its security institutions must gain the means to control Lebanese territory and borders, must have a monopoly of arms, and be accountable to all Lebanese citizens. And we are prepared to be partners with all Lebanese who share that vision." As he concluded his remarks, Kerry urged Lebanon's political factions "to focus now on forming a responsible government. This is, and must be, a Lebanese process that reflects the aspirations of the Lebanese people."