White House wants to use Hezbollah's weakness to elect new Lebanese president

U.S. officials want to capitalize on Israel's recent attacks on Hezbollah to facilitate the election of a new Lebanese president. Lebanon has lacked a president for nearly two years, worsening the country's political and economic turmoil.

Recent Israeli airstrikes killed Hezbollah leaders and weakened the militia significantly. U.S. officials see this as a chance to reduce Hezbollah's political influence. The favored candidate is Gen. Joseph Aoun, the commander of the Lebanese armed forces.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the need for a functioning government free from Hezbollah's veto. Acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for the quick election of a president representative of all Lebanese. Priorities include electing a president, achieving a diplomatic resolution, and appointing a new prime minister.