Haley demands UNIFIL changes, levels harsh criticism against commander

"US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley leveled harsh criticism on Friday at Irish Major General Michael Beary, the commander of United Nations forces in Lebanon, accusing him of turning a blind eye to Iran's covert arming of the Hezbollah militant group.

'General Beary says there are no Hezbollah weapons,' she said. 'That's an embarrassing lack of understanding on what's going on around him.'

'Hezbollah openly brags about their weapons. They parade them before TV cameras. The secretary general's reports have confirmed this. For the UNIFIL commander to deny it... has any proof, shows that we need to have changes in UNIFIL,' Haley said.

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon tweeted his agreement with the US envoy.

'Ambassador Nikki Haley is right. UNIFIL can't remain blind to Hezbollah buildup in Lebanon... UNIFIL must immediately stop Hezbollah United Nations Security Council violations to ensure calm in the region,' wrote Danon.

'The Security Council must adopt a strong UNIFIL mandate to address Hezbollah threats,' the Israeli envoy added..."