The U.S. Congress welcomed the Lebanese people's move to the polls to choose their representatives in the parliamentary elections. Senator Jim Risch, the senior Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that the results are "clear evidence of the Lebanese people's desire for change." Risch told Asharq Al-Awsat that the loss of seats by parties allied with Hezbollah to reform-supporting candidates is a clear indicator of this desire for change. He added, "After years of political stagnation, corruption, and lack of economic stability, these elections could signify a step forward." The prominent Republican senator urged "Lebanese leaders to implement the necessary reforms" to improve the deteriorating conditions in the country, stressing that "the Lebanese people deserve justice and accountability, not more of the same."
Additionally, Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reiterated that "these elections are critical amid an unprecedented economic crisis that has pushed many Lebanese to the brink of poverty and compelled others to leave the country in search of a better future." Menendez expressed his support for the Lebanese in their "quest for a democratic and prosperous future for their country," emphasizing the need for the government to provide essential services to its citizens and hold accountable those responsible for the corruption "that led to the economic crisis and the Beirut port explosion."
A source in Congress confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that legislators are primarily focused on continuing support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, which the source described as "the most stabilizing factor in Lebanon," underscoring the robustness of the relationship between the United States and the military leadership. The source also noted that Congress will continue to address the needs of the military amid the current economic crisis in the country, as this "serves the interests of U.S. national security."
