The White House said on Wednesday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon showed he was continuing his "provocative ways" while leading his country to economic distress and international sanctions.
"He continues his provocative ways ... even as he leaves his country further in economic distress and turmoil as a result of his actions that have led to international sanctions that are having great impact," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said when asked about the trip and Ahmadinejad's plan to travel close to Lebanon's border with Israel on Thursday. Gibbs said Ahmadinejad's visit also "suggests that Hezbollah values its allegiance to Iran over it's allegiance to Lebanon."