Posted on 11/01/2006 10:33:27 AM PST by blam
US issues Lebanon 'plot' warning
Mr Hariri was killed in an explosion in February 2005
The United States has said there is "mounting evidence" that Syria, Iran and Hezbollah are planning to topple the Lebanese government. The White House said Syria hoped to stop the formation of an international tribunal to try suspects in the killing of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri.
Spokesman Tony Snow said any attempt to destabilise the Lebanese government would violate UN resolutions.
A UN team has been investigating who was behind Mr Hariri's death in 2005.
Hezbollah demand
The BBC News website's world affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds says the White House statement appears to result from the tense situation in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is demanding one third of cabinet seats, thereby giving it a veto over decisions.
Such a veto would enable it to block approval of the international tribunal to try suspects in Mr Hariri's assassination, our correspondent says.
The Hezbollah leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, has threatened street demonstrations in support of his demand.
The US is concerned that this instability could result in the fall of the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
The statement also casts doubt on any willingness by the Bush administration to consider Syria and Iran as potential partners over the future of Iraq, an idea that the Baker commission on Iraq is expected to suggest, our correspondent adds.
Former US Secretary of State James Baker is heading a bipartisan Iraq Study Group, considering future strategy in Iraq for US policy makers.
Hariri tribunal
The White House said it was "increasingly concerned by mounting evidence that the Syrian and Iranian governments, Hezbollah, and their Lebanese allies are preparing plans to topple Lebanon's democratically-elected government.
"There are indications that one goal of the Syrian plan is to prevent the current Lebanese government from approving the statute for an international tribunal that would try those accused of involvement in former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination," the statement continued.
In March, the security council approved the formation of an international tribunal that would try those accused of involvement in the murder of Mr Hariri.
The UN sent a draft plan for the tribunal to Lebanese authorities on 21 October but it has yet to be approved of by Lebanon's cabinet and parliament or by the UN Security Council.
Mr Hariri was killed on 14 February 2005, along with 20 others in a massive blast on Beirut's seafront.
UN investigators said in September they had found new evidence that he was probably killed by a suicide bomber.
The assassination has been widely blamed on Syria, but Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has repeatedly denied that his country had anything to do with the killing.
Christian news and commentary at: sacredscoop.com ...
R.Y.M.B!
Lebanon is already divided between Iran and Syria as it is.
I can't even begin to imagine what happens if there is a full takeover.
I can feel a very short time before a major blow up over there. Kind of while we all aren't looking.
Olmert failed to take out hezbollah when they had the chance. maybe if they take over the whole country, israel will understand they need to complete the job next time around.
I wish Israel would treat these countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. Because that's what it essentially is, people under totalitarian regimes that sponsor terrorism.
ELIMINATE IRAN NOW!!! while we still have the means and more importantly while the still do not have the means to ELIMINATE US!!!
NOTE TO GOVERNMENT OF LEBANON:
You lay down with vipers you get asp bit. Ask Cleopatra...
How could anyone tell the difference ?
I can't remember where I read that an overthrow of the current Lebanese govt by the Hezbollah was in the works. Its been a couple of weeks ago. If this happens things could really ignite with Israel. The Hezzies have already rearmed under the UN nose... just a matter of time. They are supposedly arming up in Gaza too. Question is, will Israel be ready. There used to be no doubt about that, but after this summers conflict Who knows.
Hopefully it'll be more "SSDD" and less "Afghanistan after the Taliban."
Olmert shows that he can use force. I have confidence that worse come to worse, he'll do it again.
Unlike the resident rapist and trailer trash Xlintooon, PM Olmert can defend his country.
Bless them, I certainly hope so. It has to be a tireless struggle knowing that you absolutely cannot afford to lose!
Agreed.
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