Rice voices US backing for gov't that ups Hezbollah's power

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Rice, in Beirut, voices U.S. backing for gov't that ups Hezbollah's power

By The Associated Press

BEIRUT - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice put an American stamp of approval Monday on plans for a new government in Lebanon that would increase the power of Hezbollah militants.

Rice made an unannounced visit to Lebanon's capital to meet with Western-backed leaders of an emerging coalition government, which the country's factions are still negotiating over. The U.S. regards Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah as a terrorist group and has no dealings with it.

"Congratulations," Rice said as she shook hands with Michel Suleiman, the army chief elected last month as president. "We are all just very supportive of your presidency and your government."

She introduced members of the U.S. delegation to him as they sat down for their meeting at the presidential palace.

On the flight from Israel, Rice told reporters her message would be one of U.S. support for Lebanese democracy and that they would discuss how the United States can support the institutions of a free Lebanon.

Hezbollah, which is both a militia and a political party, gained veto power over the Beirut government in a compromise brokered last month. The deal ended 18 months of political paralysis, and followed bloody street clashes.

The U.S. would have preferred that Hezbollah not gain greater power, but has called the deal a necessary step for stability.

The breakthrough deal, reached with the help of Arab mediators, allowed Lebanon's parliament to elect a new president. Suleiman's election brought palpable relief to Lebanese who feared their country was in danger of another civil war. It also ushered in a shift in the balance of power in favor of Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

Rice's visit came as U.S.-backed Prime Minister Fuad Siniora was facing difficulties in forming a national unity government. For nearly three weeks, Siniora has been trying - so far without success - to form a Cabinet lineup acceptable to both the Western-backed parliamentary majority and the Hezbollah-led opposition.

Rice is the first high-level U.S. official to visit since the power sharing agreement was reached. She met Suleiman for the first time.

Hezbollah's ascendancy is a setback for the U.S., which had strongly backed the Lebanese government for three years and is concerned that Iran's influence is spreading in the Middle East. Nevertheless, the U.S. welcomed the developments in Lebanon and its diplomats and visiting congressmen attended Suleiman's election.

Political bickering prevented parliament from electing a president 19 times, leaving the country without a president since Emile Lahoud left office in November.

Suleiman's election is the first tangible step in the deal to end the political crisis which erupted in May into the worst violence since Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.

The agreement was a victory for Hezbollah and its allies, who got their long-standing demand for veto power over government decisions.

The Shiite militant group won that concession after it demonstrated its military power last month. Gunmen overran large parts of Muslim west Beirut after the government tried to rein Hezbollah in.

The show of force left 81 people dead, including 14 Hezbollah fighters, and gave the guerrilla group new political leverage. The United States claims it also has provoked a backlash against Hezbollah among many Lebanese who cannot stomach the group's use of force against fellow citizens.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/993329.html

[Nagishkaw 510]

I used to have a lot of respect for Rice. Now I just view her as an obedient pawn.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I used to have a lot of respect for Rice. Now I just view her as an obedient pawn.

Isn't it her job to be an obedient pawn ?