US sees weakening of Hezbollah as opportunity for 'political breakthrough'

The U.S. sees the Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon as an opportunity to end the terrorist organization's control of the country and to elect a new president, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources from U.S. and Arab countries with knowledge of the details. 

According to the report, U.S. official Amos Hochstein told senior officials from Arab countries that the weakening of Hezbollah should be seen as an opportunity for a breakthrough and an exit from the political crisis in Lebanon. 

Senior officials from Egypt and Qatar told the Americans that the plan was "dangerous and unrealistic," arguing that "Israel will not succeed in destroying Hezbollah, and must be part of any political settlement to the conflict."