Bush Slams Syria, Iran, Backs Saniora's Government

by **Admin** Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:04 am

U.S.
President George Bush on Thursday accused Iran and Syria of undermining
democracy in Lebanon and renewed his support for Premier Fouad
Saniora's government.

"The
United States will continue to stand with the Lebanese government and
the Lebanese people as they struggle to preserve their hard-won
sovereignty and independence, endeavor to provide justice for victims
of terrorism and political violence, and continue to seek the election
of a president committed to these principles," Bush said in a written
statement.

Washington
has accused the Hizbullah-led opposition and Syria of trying to scuttle
Lebanon's efforts to elect a new head of state to replace pro-Syrian
Emile Lahoud, who stepped down at the end of his term in November.

"The
people of Lebanon have spent the better part of three decades living
under the threat of violence, assassinations, and other forms of
intimidation," said Bush.

"Despite
this, they and their leaders continue to work for a peaceful and
democratic future, even as Syria, Iran, and their Lebanese proxies seek
to undermine Lebanese democracy and institutions," he said.

Bush
took note of the 25th anniversary Friday of the deadly April 18, 1983
bombing of the U.S. embassy in Beirut by the Islamic Jihad
Organization, which U.S. officials have said was a forerunner of
Hizbullah.

"On
the 25th anniversary of that bombing, we mourn for those who perished,
and we honor the sacrifice of their family and friends and of the many
who were wounded," Bush said of the attack, which killed 52.

"Since
the Beirut attack, we and citizens of many countries have suffered more
attacks at the hands of Hizbullah and other terrorists, backed by the
regimes in Tehran and Damascus, which use terror and violence against
innocent civilians.

"All
nations should condemn such brutal attacks and recognize that the
purposeful targeting of civilians is immoral and unjustifiable," Bush
said.

The
U.S. president's statement came the same day Assistant Secretary of
State for Near Eastern Affairs reiterated Washington's strong support
for the Saniora government and urged the immediate election of a
president without foreign interference.

"The
parliament should open, it should meet, the election should happen
without further delay and should not be stalled by any other condition
whatsoever," said Welch after meeting Saniora at the Grand Serail.

"It's
not good that this position, that of president, has been vacant for so
long because of course it is the most important Christian office in the
land," he said.

Welch accused the opposition and Syria, without naming them, of trying the scuttle efforts to elect a head of state.

"Some
who have been influenced by outsiders have unilaterally taken steps to
arrest this political process, to facilitate their own goals ... and
those of their allies," said Welch.

"The future of Lebanon belongs to the Lebanese, not to any neighbors, not to the United States," he added.