Washington “strongly supports” Lebanon’s independence, warning the Middle East against using the country “as a venue for proxy conflicts or in any manner contributing to instability in that country,” US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement Friday.

Tillerson also called Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri Washington’s “strong partner,” urging all parties “both within Lebanon and outside” to respect “legitimate institutions,” including the government and armed forces.

Source: RT