Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah on Sunday voiced doubt about the impact of a surprise visit of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Lebanon, the party's Al-Manar TV reported.
Hezbollah spokesman, Ibrahim Mousawi, told Al-Manar that her unannounced visit could even have a negative impact on the pro-U.S. factions in Lebanon, adding that the "American interference in the past was never positive", Xinhua reported.
Mousawi criticized the U.S. "double standard and deception" when the U.S. calls for Islamic factions to participate in elections and then refuses to accept their victory.
On an unannounced visit to Lebanon which lasted three hours Sunday, Clinton made it clear that the upcoming Lebanese elections scheduled for June 7 are "crucial," noting that Washington hopes that "moderate" forces win the elections.
"The Lebanese people must be able to choose their own representatives in open and fair elections without violence or intimidation and free of outside interference," she told a news conference in Beirut after talks with President Michel Suleiman.
"We will continue to support the voices of moderation in Lebanon and the responsible institutions of the Lebanese state they are working hard to build," Clinton said.
Clinton also sent an indirect message to Hezbollah, saying "UN resolutions clearly stated the Lebanese army as the sole establishment that must have weapons control."
On Thursday, Clinton voiced concerns over a possible Hezbollah victory in the Lebanese elections and underlined the need for efforts "to boost the command of the current government."
Clinton made the remarks in a testimony to the U.S. House appropriation committee, according to local report.
