US KEEN TO INSTAL NEW PRESIDENT IN LEBANON

Saudi Arabia backs the idea; Eygpt, Qatar say the plan is unrealistic, WSJ reports

THE US is aiming to use Israel's offensive against Hezbollah as an opportunity to push aside the Iran-backed Lebanese terror group on the path to installing a new Lebanese government, US and Arab officials familiar with talks on the matter told the Wall Street Journal, according to a Times of Israel report.

The Lebanese president, as commander of the armed forces, would play a vital role in heading a government to handle the current crisis, the report said.

All of the officials spoke to the Journal on condition of anonymity. With Hezbollah weakened by the Israeli attacks, the US sees an opening to shift the political situation in Lebanon, which has stagnated without an elected president for two years, the report said.

Earlier this week, US State Department spokesman Matt Miller told reporters, “What we want to see come out of this situation, ultimately, is Lebanon able to break the grip that Hezbollah has had on the country - more than a grip, break the stranglehold that Hezbollah has had on the country and remove Hezbollah veto over a president.”