Posted on 01/27/2008 6:28:27 AM PST by nuconvert
Bush Blasts Lebanon Bombing, Tells Syria, Iran to Butt Out
January 26, 2008
The Associated Press /The Jerusalem Post
US President George W. Bush on Saturday bemoaned the latest assassination of a Lebanese official and told Syria and Iran to stop meddling in its neighbor's affairs. Investigators tried to determine if the killing was tied to attacks against anti-Syrian politicians.
Lebanese mourners carry the flag-draped coffins of Capt. Wissam Eid and of his bodyguard, Osama Mereib, during their funeral procession. Photo: AP
Iran, which supports the Syrian-based opposition in a power struggle with Beirut's Western-allied government, came under criticism along with Syria for working to undermine Lebanese institutions.
"We demand that Syria, Iran and their allies end their interference in and obstruction of Lebanon's political process," the president said in a statement.
Syria has been blamed for the car bomb Friday that killed Capt. Wissam Eid, whose work included investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Damascus has denied any role.
Bush did not directly blame Syria. The administration's delayed reaction to the bombing reflected sensitivity over the Syrian role in Bush's efforts to forge a peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians before he leaves office.
He said the bombing was the latest in a series of attacks targeting those working to secure independence and sovereignty in Lebanon. "We will not falter in our support for the democratically elected Lebanese government," Bush said. "We renew our call for the immediate selection of a new president in accordance with Lebanon's constitution."
The US-Syria relationship warmed when Syria agreed to attend Bush's recent Middle East conference in Annapolis, Maryland - after the US added the Golan Heights to the agenda. Syria demands the full return of the Golan Heights, the strategic plateau seized by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, and Syria's participation in the conference was widely seen as an attempt to gain favor with Washington.
Bush said he appreciated UN efforts on a special tribunal for Lebanon that, the president said, "will hold accountable those who are responsible for this systematic campaign of murder and intimidation."
"I urge Lebanon's friends and allies to commit immediately the remaining funds required for the tribunal to commence its work," Bush said. Investigators are trying to determine if Eid's killing was part of a series of attacks that have targeted leading anti-Syrian politicians in the past three years. The car bombing also killed his bodyguard and three passers-by and wounded 37 people, police said.
Lebanon, divided along pro- and anti-Syrian lines, is in a prolonged political stalemate that has left the country without a president since Nov. 23 because the two camps cannot agree on a candidate or the makeup of a future government.
maybe he can get Israel to give up some more land to appease them.
It’s about time George Bush said something about the repeated assassinations in Lebanon. I thought he sold us out to the Syrians in return for something regarding Iraq. Lebanon owes George Bush a great deal for getting the Syrians out, but there’s a while to go before Lebanon can declare itself sovereign.
He won’t lift a finger to protect our borders from being overrun by Mexicans. Don’t expect much in regard to the Lebanon problem with Syria.
That would be a cooler headline.
It hurts me to say this, but Lebanon is simply a failed state & it's pointless to pretend that it will ever be sovereign. It won't survive the next big Middle Eastern war & will most likely be split between Syria & Israel.
“....maybe he can get Israel to give up some more land to appease them.”
______________________________
A President in legacy-mode is a dangerous thing...especially if you’re Israel.
There, took care of that!
yes it would!
You know it!
That assumes either will survive the next big Middle Eastern war
Israel likely will. It acts pathetic during peace time & during long ‘wars’, but fights well when the games are over & it’s a matter of survival. It also has an advantage over most of the Middle Eastern states, which is that they’re not plagued by civil war & the ragings of barely-suppressed minorities.
Syria will keep it together as long as it brings prestige to Syria with its Greater Syria agenda. I think the next states on the chopping block are Palestine - if it gets created - & then Jordan. The Hashimites won’t be able to rule over 70% Palestinians for much longer. Iraq has higher probability of failure, but heavy American involvement will keep it artificially propped up for a while.
Yeah, it’s about time he actually enforced his own doctrine isetead of letting the Dems make him run for cover.
BRILLIANT!
Let’s do it!!
Lebanon is in transition from a democracy to an Islamic Republic.
Lebanon is now a majority Muslim country, with the Infidel democracy still in place.
The thing that holds up the Islamic takeover is the Sunni Muslims are a minority like the Infidels, and are reluctant to see the Shiites win big in Lebanon. - Tom
Talk is cheap. Iran has gotten away with aiding and abetting the murder of hundreds of US servicemen in Iraq. I seriously doubt the Iranians are going to quiver much in response to this verbal spanking.
LOL!!!
I love the sea of Iran idea/Cheney rocks
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