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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran | |
| US, France ask Syria to end any residual presence in Lebanon | |
| 2005-05-04 | |
| WASHINGTON - Pressing Syria to end its residual presence in Lebanon after Damascus' troops pullout last week, the US and France have affirmed their continuing support for Lebanon's aspiration to achieve complete independence and sovereignty. The two countries issued a joint statement after a meeting between US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier on Monday. The statement followed Lebanese Prime Minister's remarks in an interview that Syria still had soldiers on his country's soil. The end of any residual Syrian presence or continued interference in Lebanon is necessary to establish a balanced and equitable relationship between the two countries, the US and France said. The two countries, who led the passage of a UN resolution last year calling upon Syria to end its deployment in Lebanon, also said they awaited UN verification of Damascus" pullout. We expect the full implementation of all provisions of the (UN) resolution, the statement said. We expect all parties to cooperate fully to this end within the ongoing political process. The joint statement also welcomed the new Lebanese government's commitment to move ahead as scheduled with parliamentary elections in late May. The US and France also stated their willingness to assist the sovereign Lebanese government that emerges from those elections.
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| Posted by:Steve White |
| #1 Ok my bet on the Prediction Market at Strategy Page is comming up. Which is it. Are they in or out? |
| Posted by: 3dc 2005-05-04 23:10 |