Lebanon ambassador to US receives complaint for asking Israeli ambassador about his son

In a sharply worded statement, a State Department spokesperson said the US was aware of the complaint, which was filed by a lawyer affiliated with Hezbollah.

The US State Department strongly condemned a complaint filed against Lebanon's Ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, after reports that she contacted Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter to ask about his son, who was wounded in a terrorist attack.

In a sharply worded statement, a State Department spokesperson said the US was aware of the complaint, which was filed by a lawyer affiliated with Hezbollah.

"It is embarrassing that a military court is handling a complaint against Lebanon's ambassador in Washington simply because she was implementing her legitimate government's policy and participating in US-led negotiations," the statement said.

The State Department added that Lebanon's military justice system should use its limited resources to prosecute Hezbollah operatives planning to act against the Lebanese government and its citizens, "rather than those acting on their behalf."

The department also called on Lebanon to repeal laws and procedures that, it said, enable the "political persecution of citizens and diplomats," while Hezbollah operatives systematically receive protection.

"We have no patience for obstruction," the statement said.

The complaint was filed by Lebanese lawyer Hassan Adel Bazzi following an article published in September by Beirut Review.

According to the report, Moawad contacted Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter to inquire about the condition of his son, who had been wounded in a terrorist attack.

The report said Lebanon's attorney-general referred the complaint to the government commissioner at the military court to examine possible legal action.

It remains unclear whether the complaint will lead to legal proceedings or be dismissed and closed.

The affair has raised concerns that the complaint represents an attempt to deter officials involved in negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.

Such a move could complicate diplomatic efforts between the two countries amid political and security tensions in Lebanon.

Lebanon concerned over Hezbollah's strengthening

The development comes amid growing concerns in Lebanon over Hezbollah's conduct and its strengthening position.

The organization recently announced it had funds at its disposal, a claim the United States rejected. The State Department maintained that the funds purportedly received from Iran do not exist.

Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities reported intercepting a shipment of explosives.

According to reports, two suspects affiliated with Hezbollah smuggled the explosives in a truck from eastern Lebanon toward Beirut's southern suburbs.

The incidents illustrate the challenges facing the Lebanese government as it seeks to strengthen state authority while simultaneously confronting political and security pressure from Hezbollah.