VIENTIANE, Laos — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced hope Friday for a diplomatic solution in Lebanon and preventing a broader conflict, as he backed efforts by the fragile state to assert itself against Hezbollah.
Blinken again said that Israel, which has been carrying out deadly strikes on Lebanon, 'has a right to defend itself' against Hezbollah, but said he was alarmed by the worsening humanitarian situation.