U.S. diplomat says Hezbollah arms, Iran's aims key to stable Mideast

Published: 2006-09-01

ROME (CNS) -- Stopping the weapons flow to Hezbollah in Lebanon and responding to the nuclear ambitions of Iran are essential for a stable Middle East, said the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. The ambassador, Francis Rooney, said the international community needs to make sure that as Lebanon moves toward peace and security countries like Syria and Iran are prevented from transferring arms to "terrorist groups such as Hezbollah." Rooney made the comments Sept. 1 in written responses to questions submitted by Catholic News Service. The ambassador said the international community, including the Vatican, should not be fooled by Iran's equivocations on its nuclear program. "The United States shares with the Holy See and the international community a desire for a stable Middle East, and none of us want to see nuclear proliferation in the region," he said. "The danger for the whole international community, including the Holy See, is to be taken in by Iran's stalling tactics and half-truths about its nuclear ambitions. The stakes are just too high," he said.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .