Hezbollah's actions pose threat to security of Lebanon: U.S. top official

BEIRUT, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah's actions pose a threat to the security of Lebanon and have a destabilizing influence in the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Thursday.

"Hezbollah is not just a concern for the United States. The people of Lebanon should also be concerned about how Hezbollah's actions, its growing arsenal, bring unwanted and unhelpful scrutiny on Lebanon," Tillerson said in a joint press conference after talks with Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

"Hezbollah entanglement in regional conflicts threatens the security of Lebanon and has destabilizing effects on the region," he added.

Hezbollah is branded a "terrorist" organization by the United States and is active in fighting next to the Syrian regime forces.

"Their presence in Syria has perpetuated the bloodshed, increased the displacement of innocent people and propped up the barbaric Assad regime," Tillerson said.

Tillerson also said that the U.S. administration is working to ensure Lebanon's southern borders remain calm amid tension with Israel over gas drilling rights.

He said "if an agreement between Israel and Lebanon can be reached over drilling rights, it will help Lebanon and neighboring countries to prosper for years to come." Enditem