Last update - 00:00 02/11/2006
Syria: U.S. claims we back toppling Beirut gov't 'vilify' us
By Reuters
DAMASCUS - A Syrian government newspaper said Thursday that U.S. accusations that Damascus is collaborating with Iran and Hezbollah in an attempt to topple the Lebanese government were "pure vilification".
The White House said on Wednesday that Washington had evidence that Syria, Iran and their allies in the Shi'ite Muslim group were preparing to topple the Beirut government, which is dominated by anti-Syrian politicians.
"This pure vilification is meant to raise turmoil in Lebanon and cause fallout with Syria, which paid with blood to maintain Lebanese independence and sovereignty," an editorial in Syria's Baath daily said.
The newspaper said the U.S. government "which claims to know everything" should make any evidence of the alleged Syrian role public.
U.S. officials say the information is classified.
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah has given Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora until the middle of this month to agree on the formation of a unity government or face protests demanding a new election.
A State Department spokesman said Nasrallah's ultimatum has raised U.S. concerns about the intentions of Hezbollah and other players toward Lebanon.
Anti-Syrian politicians had dismissed calls for a national unity government, saying such demands were aimed at regaining Syria's influence in Lebanon.
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Washington's strong support of Siniora's government could prove its undoing.
"Some love is fatal," Berri said in a statement. "Is it [the U.S. statement] meant to defend Lebanon or push it towards constructive chaos? Does it echo concern for the government or incitement against it?"
Berri, a Shi'ite Muslim leader allied with Hezbollah, has called for roundtable talks between various Lebanese leaders next week to discuss formation of a new government.
"Anyway, we reassure the White House that the Lebanese people have enough of a democratic tendency to make them resort to dialogue and consultations rather than to the advice of the protector of Israel which violates international resolutions every day and whose planes never depart our airspace," he said.
Syrian forces pulled out of Lebanon after a 29-year presence following last year's assassination of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.
A UN investigation implicated Syrian security officials in the killing. Damascus, which denies involvement, has deepened its ties with Tehran after facing increasing isolation by the West following the assassination.