U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his wife Susan visit a church at Byblos, Lebanon, Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Jim Young/Pool Photo via AP) (Associated Press)

Pompeo tours Lebanese historical sites in ancient city , blasts Hezbollah, Iran

Pompeo and his wife Susan spent much of the second and last day of their visit to Lebanon touring historical churches and a centuries-old citadel in this coastal city Saturday.

Pompeo renewed his attack on Hezbollah and its main backer Iran, blasting the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Qassim Suleimani, the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, saying their aim is to control Lebanon.

“They want to control this state. They want access to the Mediterranean. They want power and influence here,” Pompeo said

Russia and Lebanon condemn US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights

Russia and Syria have deemed the US move illegal. Russia has cited the 1981 UN Security Council Resolution 497, which declares the annexation “null and void and without international legal effect.”