Biden says assassination of Hezbollah leader a ‘measure of justice’

President Joe Biden called the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah “a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of American, Israeli and Lebanese civilians.”

In a statement a day after an Israeli airstrike on a southern Beirut suburb killed Nasrallah, Biden reiterated U.S. support for Israel’s “right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and any other terrorist group supported by Iran.

Vice President Kamala Harris, running for president in November, called Nasrallah “a terrorist with American blood on his hands.”

The strong support from Washington, Israel’s main ally, came as Russia, several European countries and the United Nations warned of potential repercussions from the assassination.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “gravely concerned by the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut over the past 24 hours,” said his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

“This cycle of violence must end now and all parties must step back. The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, and the region as a whole cannot afford all-out war.”

In his statement, Biden emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution.

“Ultimately, our goal is to defuse the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means,” he said, mentioning a proposed ceasefire in Gaza and negotiations aimed at allowing the safe return of residents to Israel and southern Lebanon.

“It is time for these agreements to be reached, for the threats against Israel to be removed, and for the Middle East region as a whole to achieve greater stability,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after leaving church on Saturday, Biden said “it’s time to establish a ceasefire” after being asked if an Israeli ground invasion was inevitable.

– ‘Posted to protect American forces’ –

Meanwhile, Washington was reviewing its military presence in the region.

Biden said he had asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to “further strengthen the defense posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and reduce the risk of further regional war.” wide”.

Austin spoke twice with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on Friday, emphasizing that “the United States is committed to preventing Iran and its Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict,” a Pentagon spokesperson said.

“The Secretary made clear that the United States remains committed to protecting American forces and installations in the region and to committing to the defense of Israel.”

Also Saturday, the State Department ordered family members of its diplomats in Beirut to leave, while allowing some staff members to leave “due to the volatile and unpredictable security situation in Beirut.”

The agency also urged U.S. citizens to leave “while commercial options remain available.”

Israeli military officials announced Saturday that Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for more than three decades, died in a bombing targeting the group’s headquarters in Beirut’s southern suburbs Friday evening.

Hezbollah confirmed the death a few hours later.