05/12/2009 Thirty-one members of the US House of Representatives have urged the Obama administration to work toward disarming Hezbollah and preventing Iran from using the Lebanese group in any confrontation with Israel.
In a letter sent to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the lawmakers claimed the US government should ensure greater accountability from the United Nations in enforcing Resolution 1701.
 
 "In light of the clear violations of UN Security Council resolutions, we ask what actions the Administration is taking to ensure the UN addresses these violations," the letter said. "We must seek to support stronger multilateral efforts to disarm Hezbollah and clear southern Lebanon of Iranian weapons,” it added.

The letter notes that the Obama administration has requested $210 million for UNIFIL and $100 million in military assistance for the Lebanese army. "For that much money, American taxpayers deserve to see results," the lawmakers said.

The letter warned that Tehran may try to distract the international community from its nuclear program by inciting Hezbollah into carrying out militant activities in southern Lebanon and blowing up the regional situation.

The members of the House of Representatives said that in light of the increasing number of incidents in southern Lebanon and the capture of an Iranian arms ship allegedly destined for Hezbollah, they are highly concerned by the potential of what they called the Iranian-sponsored escalation along the Lebanese-Israeli border.

The letter, which was sponsored by Mark Kirk and Steve Israel, said the situation in southern Lebanon became worse after the 2006 war. It added that the newly formed Lebanese cabinet gave Hezbollah veto power over major decision-making.