Thu Apr 17, 8:35 PM ET , WASHINGTON (AFP) – US President George W Bush on Thursday accused Iran and Syria of undermining democracy in Lebanon and renewed his support for the embattled government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora. 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 Hezbollah-led opposition and Syria of trying to scuttle Lebanon’s efforts to elect a head of state to replace pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud, who stepped down at the end of his mandate 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.
In a separate statement Bush took note of the 25th anniversary Friday of the deadly April 18, 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut by the Islamic Jihad Organization, which US officials have said was a forerunner of Hezbollah, the powerful Shiite political and paramilitary organization.
"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 Hezbollah 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."
