Posted on 11/01/2006 11:20:27 PM PST by MadIvan
The United States delivered a blunt message to Syria and its allies yesterday that any attempt to "topple" the Lebanese government would result in failure.
Tony Snow, the White House spokesman, said that there was mounting evidence that the Damascus regime and its Iranian allies in Teheran were backing Hizbollah's attempt to bring down the Lebanese government in order to derail an international tribunal into the assassination last year of Rafik Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister.
"Support for a sovereign, democratic and prosperous Lebanon is a key element of US policy in the Middle East," said Mr Snow.
He said the United States was "increasingly concerned" that plans were being prepared to bring down the Beirut government led by Fouad Siniora, the Lebanese prime minister. "Any such effort to sideline the tribunal will fail, however, for the international community can proceed with establishing it no matter what happens internally in Lebanon," he said.
Syria swiftly denounced the allegations as "ludicrous" and "unfounded". "What is happening in Lebanon is a purely domestic political issue," Syria's embassy in Washington said in a statement. "Syria fully respects the sovereignty of Lebanon and does not interfere in its internal politics."
Hizbollah, the radical Shia movement whose capture of Israeli soldiers sparked war in the summer, has threatened to use street protests to force the creation of a "national unity" government that would give it sufficient power to veto key legislation. The group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has also accused Lebanon's government of promoting the occupation of the country by the United Nations force policing a ceasefire with Israel.
Israel has signalled its disquiet over developments in Lebanon by sending warplanes on sorties over Beirut.
The White House warning came as Washington was digesting reports that Tony Blair's senior foreign policy adviser visited Damascus for the highest level meeting between Britain and Syria since the invasion of Iraq.
Sir Nigel Sheinwald met President Bashar Assad and Walid al-Moallem, his foreign minister, on Monday, fuelling speculation that the Prime Minister plans to visit Syria.
But a senior Lebanese politician said yesterday that any talks between Mr Blair and Mr Assad would only serve to reverse the progress of democracy in the Middle East and do nothing to stabilise the situation in Lebanon or Iraq.
Sir Nigel's trip is being seen as a means of putting pressure on Syria to play a positive role in bringing stability to Iraq.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
What are/would we do about it? Send Connie?
Yeah, no kidding. She'll be armed with a strongly worded letter.
We have enemies all around us, and they are emboldened by our inaction.
Yeah. Like Syria is afraid of President Bush.
Syria has been killing American troops for 3 years and President Bush hasn't done one stinking thing against Syria. Why would anyone think he would do anything now?
Although it would be a real nice October Surprise.
Been there, done that...like half a dozen times now.
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]
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I'm sure Syria will take our warning to heart.
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