"The United States strongly condemns Hezbollah's call to overthrow Lebanon's legitimate, democratically elected government. The Lebanese government is working towards recovery, reconstruction, international aid, and a stable future for its people with full US support. In contrast, Hezbollah seeks to drag Lebanon back into chaos and destruction", US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on 24/5.

Rubio accused Hezbollah of ignoring Lebanon's calls to respect the ceasefire, continuing to attack Israeli positions, and deploying troops and weapons to the south to "destabilize the country and maintain power at the expense of the people's future."

People carry Hezbollah flags, Lebanese national flags, and Iranian flags during a protest in Beirut on 10/4. Photo: AP

"The United States firmly stands with Lebanon's legitimate government in its efforts to restore authority and build a better future for its people. Hezbollah's threats of violence and overthrow will not be allowed to succeed; the era of an armed group holding an entire nation hostage is coming to an end", Secretary of State Rubio stated.

Hezbollah officials have not yet commented on the information.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem previously stated that the Lebanese people "have the right to protest and overthrow the government" in response to Israeli attacks and US sanctions targeting the financial company Al-Qard Al-Hassan.

The company provides interest-free loans primarily to the Shia Muslim community, who are facing financial hardship amid Lebanon's economic crisis. "The attack on Al-Qard Al-Hassan is an act against hundreds of thousands of poor people and those with limited income", Qassem said.

Lebanon is under pressure from the US to take action against Al-Qard Al-Hassan, as Washington seeks to pressure the Tehran-backed Hezbollah.

Location of Israel, Lebanon. Graphic: RANE

Israel began attacking Lebanon on 2/3 in response to attacks from Hezbollah, a close ally of Iran. This operation occurred a few days after Israel and the US launched a large-scale coordinated airstrike campaign against Iran.

After the ceasefire came into effect, the Israeli military continued to attack targets it claims belong to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The conflict in Lebanon has so far killed over 3,100 people.

Iran declared that a peace agreement with the US must include an end to the conflict in Lebanon. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on 24/5 that US President Donald Trump reaffirmed support for "Israel's right to self-defense against threats on all fronts, including Lebanon."

General Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, stated that Israel would continue to attack Hezbollah on all fronts, emphasizing that "security for its people and safety for its troops are the highest priorities."

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Al Jazeera)