Bush Slams Syria, Iran, Backs Saniora”s Government
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.