US President Joe Biden on Saturday called Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah “a measure of justice” for his many victims and said the United States fully supported Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran-supported groups.
“Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror,” he said, noting that the terrorist leader’s victims included “thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians.”
Biden said he had directed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to enhance further the defense posture of US military forces in the Middle East to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader war.
Ultimately, he said, the US aimed to de-escalate ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means. He did not address a comment from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying Nasrallah’s death would be avenged.
Vice President Kamala Harris said that “Nasrallah was a terrorist with American blood on his hands. Across decades, his leadership of Hezbollah destabilized the Middle East and led to the killing of countless innocent people in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, and around the world.” She also noted that the victims of Hezbollah “have a measure of justice” as a result of Nasrallah’s death.
“I have an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel,” she continued. “I will always support Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.” She said that she and President Biden “have been working on a diplomatic solution along the Israel-Lebanon border so that people can safely return home on both sides of that border.”
US orders some Beirut embassy staff members to leave Lebanon
The US Department of State on Saturday ordered some employees at its embassy in Beirut and their eligible family members to the leave Lebanon amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following the killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah by Israel.
“US Embassy Beirut personnel are restricted from personal travel without advance permission,” the State Department said in a statement. “Additional travel restrictions may be imposed on US personnel under Chief of Mission security responsibility, with little to no notice due to increased security issues or threats.”
This article was originally published at www.jpost.com
