press releases 2008

America Stands with Lebanon, Bush Says

U.S. to strengthen Lebanese military and encourage pressure on Iran, Syria

May 14, 2008

Washington -- The United States stands with the people of Lebanon against Hezbollah, says President Bush, who urges regional leaders to support Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and step up diplomatic pressure on the militants’ sponsors in Syria and Iran.

“I think the Arab world needs to support him,” Bush said in a May 12 interview with Al-Arabiya television, “and I think the Arab world needs to make it clear to the Iranians and Syrians that [they should] allow this good man to govern his country without interference.”

As Bush sets off for the Middle East, Hezbollah has followed up seizures of territory in western Beirut neighborhoods and the shutdown of Lebanon's airport with new attacks in Tripoli.  At least 61 people have been killed and 200 others wounded since Hezbollah launched attacks May 7, in what local media reports have called the worst unrest since the 1975-1990 civil war. (See “Rice Condemns Terrorist Group Hezbollah’s Attacks in Lebanon.”)

Bush pledged continued U.S. support to strengthen the Lebanese military and safeguard the government.  “Given their equipment, they’ve done a good job,” Bush said.  “The question then is, can we help them get better equipment and better training in the short run?”

“This is a government that is dedicated to trying to expand the reach of democracy,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said May 12.  “That stands in stark contrast to the actions of groups like Hezbollah.  They’ve shown themselves willing to use force of arms and violence to kill innocent Lebanese civilians.”

Security assistance must be followed up with diplomatic efforts to marshal international support against Hezbollah sponsors Syria and Iran, Bush added.

“The international community will not allow the Iranian and Syrian regimes, via their proxies, to return Lebanon to foreign domination and control,” Bush said in a May 12 statement.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been in close contact with the Siniora government throughout Lebanon’s latest political crisis, Bush said. The Arab League, the United Nations, and the “Friends of Lebanon” -- a 12-nation group including the United States -- also have been following developments in the country closely.

Following talks in Cairo, an Arab League delegation is heading to Beirut in a bid to stop the fighting, while the U.N. Security Council is weighing its options. “We believe there should be action,” says U.S. Representative to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad.

Lebanon will be among the issues topping Bush’s agenda as he meets with leaders in the Middle East May 13-18, Bush said.  Its security challenges, like many facing the region, can be traced directly to disruptive influences emanating from Iran and Syria.

Bush underscored the commitment of the United States to constructive diplomacy. “It's important that we work with friends and allies to see if we can't convince the Iranians to stop funneling monies to these violent groups -– in Syria's case, to put financial pressure on them to adhere to the U.N. Security Council resolutions regarding Lebanon,” Bush said.

“The Lebanese people have sacrificed much for the sake of their freedom, and the United States will continue to stand with them against this latest assault on their independence and security,” Bush said.

Bush’s Al-Arabiya interview, Bush’s May 12 statement on Lebanon, and a statement from the Friends of Lebanon are available from America.gov.