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Rice visits Lebanon to show backing
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-07-23 10:56

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew here on a surprise visit Friday to show support for the first Lebanese government since the withdrawal of Syrian troops in April.

After arriving in Beirut from Israel, Rice visited the grave of the slain former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri and held talks with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Fouad Seniora.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at Grand Saray in Beirut July 22,2005. Rice made a surprise visit to Lebanon on Friday to show U.S. support for the new government, the first to be formed since Syrian forces withdrew in April. [Reuters]

At a news conference following the talks, Rice pledged cooperation between Washington and the Lebanese government, saying "I believe that we can support, both through international organizations and through direct support, the economic and political reforms that will be undertaken there."

Rice's visit came only three days after the formation of a 24-member new cabinet dominated by an anti-Syrian coalition which swept last month's parliamentary elections.

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud walks with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at Baabda palace near Beirut July 22,2005. [Reuters]

En route to Beirut, Rice said "this will be an opportunity first of all to congratulate the Lebanon people on their incredible desire for democracy."

She also called for the disarmament of the pro-Syrian Shiite group Hezbollah under the United Nations Security Council resolution 1559 which also demands foreign troops quit Lebanon.

Seniora said the Lebanese would hold "serious discussion and dialogue" on disarming Hezbollah. He called on the United States to show "understanding and patience" on the issue.

Meanwhile, Rice called for good neighborly relations between Lebanon and Syria following the recent border strains.

"We would like to see the day when there are good neighborly relations between Syria and Lebanon based on mutual respect and equality," said Rice, who is the highest ranking US official to visit Lebanon since Syria ended a 29-year military presence in its tiny neighbor in April under intense pressure following the February14 assassination of Rafik al-Hariri.

Citing concerns of sabotage attacks, Syria has recently increased inspections on commercial traffic coming from Lebanon, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded at the border.

Rice is expected to leave Beirut later Friday to continue her third visit to the Middle East this year aimed to ensure a peaceful Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip due to start in mid-August, which Rice hoped would help revive the long-stalled road map for peace.

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