Syria says UN resolution on Lebanon provocative

DAMASCUS, May 17 (Reuters) Syria today said a United Nations resolution urging it to establish diplomatic ties with Lebanon was provocative and biased.

''The insistence of the sponsors of this resolution to pass it ... constitutes uncalled for pressure and provocation that complicates the situation,'' a statement by the Syrian foreign ministry said.

''Syria cares about the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon and establishing normal Syrian-Lebanese ties independent of outside interference,'' the statement said.

The resolution, sponsored by the United States, Britain and France pushes Syria to set up diplomatic relations with Lebanon, which the two countries never had, and clarify the boundaries of their shared border.

The Lebanese government started raising these issues with Syria after the pullout of Syrian troops from Lebanon in April 2005, following the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in February of the same year.

A UN investigation has implicated senior Syrian officials in the Hariri killing. Syria has denied involvement.

REUTERS KD BD2245