The United States will stand with the Lebanese people as they recover from the crisis which left 1,000 dead and much of its infrastructure destroyed, said David Welch, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State of Near Eastern Affairs. Speaking to the foreign press in Washington, Welch said that Hizballah group made a “terrible mistake” in launching its initial attack into Israel, adding the group “undertook this action at great cost to itself, the people of Lebanon, and the international community.” As far as rebuilding Lebanon, Welch said he expects Sweden to announce that it will host a humanitarian relief conference at the end of the month, which should help set guidelines for the relief effort. The United States will attend the conference, Welch said. But in order for Lebanon to stay protected, Welch said, the Lebanese government must act in a sovereign manner-to extend its military presence all the way to the Israeli border. “Lebanon is responsible for determining the fate of its own country,” Welch said. “We stand ready to help.”
