Bush Invites Lebanon PM, Not Pro-Syrian President To Reception

Morningstar / AP ^ | 09-09-05

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

BEIRUT (AP)--U.S. President George W. Bush has invited Lebanon's prime minister, but not its president, to a reception in New York next week, a sign that President Emile Lahoud is being isolated internationally as calls rise for his resignation.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has also left Lahoud off the guest list for her reception on the sidelines of next week's U.N. summit, despite her meeting the Lebanese president when she visited Beirut in July, diplomats said.

Lebanon's leading newspaper An-Nahar, which opposes the pro-Syrian Lahoud, reported Friday that the Bush administration had withdrawn an invitation to Lahoud. But the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity owing to the sensitivity of the matter, said no invitation had been issued.

The diplomats said Bush had invited Prime Minister Fuad Saniora and Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh to his reception, indicating the decision was aimed at Lahoud and not the government of Lebanon.

The diplomats cited Washington's standing policy of opposition to the extension of Lahoud's term. They said an invitation would conflict with that policy.

In September last year, the Lebanese parliament amended the constitution and extended Lahoud's presidential term by three years. The parliamentary vote, which came under heavy pressure from Syria, took place hours after the U.S. and France had piloted through the U.N. Security Council a resolution that called for presidential elections to take place and an end to Syrian interference in Lebanese affairs.

Officials at Lahoud's office declined to comment Friday on the failure to invite the president to next week's receptions. The president has insisted he will lead Lebanon's delegation to the U.N. summit, shrugging off calls from foes and friends alike to stay home.

The U.S. moves to isolate Lahoud follow Cabinet-level calls for his resignation. Last week three pro-Syrian generals who are close to Lahoud were named as suspects in the U.N. investigation to the February assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

One of the generals is the commander of the presidential guard. The other two ran state security departments at the time of Hariri's assassination. A fourth general who ran another security department was named as a suspect but isn't close to Lahoud.

While at least two Cabinet ministers have said Lahoud should step down, pressure has relented in recent days and the president did preside over a Cabinet meeting this week. Last week, ministers failed to convene one.

Prime Minister Saniora, a political opponent of Lahoud, has been careful to use neutral words on the president's resignation.

"This issue is to be settled in Lebanon and, consequently, it is up to him to decide or not according to his assessment," Saniora told reporters during a visit to Egypt on Thursday.

Earlier, when Saniora was asked about his relationship with the president, he said it was "within the framework of the constitution."

Lahoud has rejected calls for his resignation, saying he will stay in office until his term ends in September 2007.

A former commander of Lebanon's armed forces, Lahoud has often criticized U.S. policy on the Arab-Israeli conflict. But his position has become increasingly difficult since Syria was forced to withdraw its troops from Lebanon at the end of April, and the elections in May and June ousted the pro-Syrian majority in parliament.

Many Lebanese accuse Syria and its allies in the Lebanese government, such as Lahoud, of involvement in Hariri's killing. Both authorities have denied the charge.

[ken5050]

If there is a worse diplomatic snub than NOT being invited to a reception thrown by the top US officials, it is being invited, then disinvited..

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

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