US says responsibility falls on Lebanese forces to disarm Hezbollah

Israel is defending its people and interests by responding to rocket attacks from "terrorists in Lebanon" as part of the November cessation of hostilities agreement, Washington said on Friday. 

The comments followed the Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanon earlier in the day after it said it intercepted a rocket fired from the vicinity. 

"The Government of Lebanon is responsible for disarming Hezbollah," State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters. "The reason that any attacks have happened is because terrorists launched rockets into Israel from Lebanon. That is a violation of the cessation of hostilities."

"Israel has to respond as the United States would have to respond," Bruce said. "We stand by Israel."