Naharnet Newsdesk - Bush: the United States Will Not Rest Until Lebanon is Free

			Welcome
English

Lebanon

Bush: the United States Will Not Rest Until Lebanon is Free

U.S. President George Bush has said that the United States and Europe will continue working for Lebanon's independence and stressed the need to spread democracy in the Middle East.
"We've worked with the United Nations to end the Syrian occupation of Lebanon and we will not rest until the Lebanese people enjoy full independence," Bush said Monday in a speech to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

This was his only direct reference to Lebanon in the speech that focused on Iran and its crisis with the West over its nuclear program.

The Bush administration played a leading role in the international drive that led Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon after the Feb. 14, 2005 assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri that was largely blamed on Damascus.

Washington has continued to put pressure on the Syrian regime to curb its influence over Lebanon. It co-sponsored with Paris U.N. Security Council Resolution 1680 that was passed last month and urges Syria to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon and delineate the common border.

Speaking about the broader Middle East, Bush stressed that freedom was a prerequisite for peace and that the U.S. and Europe are working diligently on spreading democracy in the region.

"When freedom advances, people gain an alternative to violence, and the prospects for peace are multiplied and all nations become more secure. So America and Europe have launched bold initiatives to aid democratic reformers across the world, especially in the broader Middle East," Bush told the graduating class at the academy.

"We're determined to end the conflict in the Holy Land and bring about a solution with two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security," he said.

Beirut, 20 Jun 06, 10:12


Your Comments


You Make the News

Cast Your Comments on this Article
View & Recommend Readers' Comments

Other Headlines

Khalife Clarifies Previous Statement: Ethiopian Plane 'Explosion' Not Necessarily Sabotage Act

Separate St. Maroun Celebrations in Beirut and Brad, Sfeir Says Maronite Church Keen on Coexistence

Spanish King Inspects U.N. Troops in South Lebanon

Jumblat Expresses Regret at 'Offensive Words' against Syrian People, Leadership

Hariri Convinced with Syrian Clarifications on Assad's Remarks

Struger: The Situation is Calm, All Sides Cooperating with UNIFIL

Murr Kicks of Talks with U.S. Officials

Army Arrests Majzoub's Uncle

Suleiman to Spain's King: Lebanon, UNIFIL Facing Dangerous Israeli Threats

Saudi Government Urges International Response to Israeli Threats Against Lebanon, Syria

U.S. Congressman Involved in Deployment of U.S. Marines in Beirut Dies

Phalange Party: Assad's Remarks 'a Second Message' after Abu Moussa's

Jumblat: Leave the Issue of Feb. 14 Rally Participation to Last Minute

Sfeir in Lent Message: Maronite Presence is Based on Covenant, We Ask for No One's Guarantees

Quarrel at Manara Fishermen Port: Mashnouq Denies Being Beaten, Aridi Declines to Comment

Recovered Black Box Could Tell Story of Ethiopian Plane Crash

Assad to Berri: Syria will Support Lebanon if Israel Attacks

Black Box Retrieved 14 Days after Ethiopian Plane Crash

Filipina House Worker Murders Employer's Sister with Kitchen Knife

Rifi in Damascus as March 14 Adapts to New Phase

Assad to Berri: We Support Lebanon and Its Stability

Aoun: Lebanese Refugees in Israel is a Pressing Issue, Not All of Them are Spies

Survey: Mixed View of Hizbullah in Muslim Countries

Western Diplomat Rules Out Israeli War on Lebanon

Mustaqbal Doubts Authenticity of Remarks Attributed to Assad, Hariri Calls Assad

Aridi: Black Boxes Located under the Ethiopian Plane's Tail

European Official: Lebanon is Safe from Israeli Attacks during Next 3 Months

Sfeir Sends Jumblat Message

Qassem Rules Out War but Says Hizbullah Should be Ready

Jumblat Concerned over New Israeli War, Describes Situation as Madness

Hizbullah Cadres on Alert

U.S. Concern over Alleged Arms Smuggling, Repetition of 2006 Scenario

Suleiman Consulting with Officials on Reviving National Dialogue

International Review of UNIFIL Structure Amid Denial to Downsize it

Gilad: Israel's Anti-Missile System to Remain on Lebanon's Front

Jumblat Snaps Back at Lieberman: We Are with Syrian People, Leadership Above All Else

Sfeir: Possibilities of War Exist as Long as Hizbullah Wants to Play State Role

Cassese: Hariri Case Highly Complex

Suleiman: Lebanese Democratic System Among the Best in the World

Interior Ministry, USAID Sign MOU on Technical Support for Municipal Elections

Wahab Accuses Arslan of Murder Attempt, Tells Him Gone is Era of Dinosaurs

Army, Lebanese Forces at Loggerheads Over Alleged Torture of Minor

Geagea: March 14 will Carry On until Cedar Revolution Goals are Achieved

Libya Expects Suleiman to Participate in Arab Summit Despite Shiite Ire

Moussa: Fragile Mideast Situation Could Reflect on Lebanon

Agreement to Stop News Leaks on Dar al-Fatwa

Assad: Civil War in Lebanon Could Start in Days unless They Change the Whole System

Names of Lebanese Passengers Released from Plane Crash


Other Categories

Editorials
SpecialReports
Middle East
The World
Interview
Away From Politics
Lebanon Business
World Business
Culture
Lebanon Sports
World Sports
Technology
Health
Fringe


Comments

Please wait while we load the comments

Click to Comment
Recommend Readers' Comments to Promote Their Views