Bush defends Israel, warns against weakening Beirut

STRALSUND, Germany, July 13 (Reuters) US President George W Bush today defended Israel's attacks on targets in Lebanon but said the Israelis should be careful not to weaken the fragile government there.

Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking at a joint news conference after talks in northeastern Germany, made clear they felt Israel's actions in seeking kidnapped soldiers and responding to Hizbollah rocket attacks were justified.

''Israel has the right to defend herself,'' Bush said.

''Secondly, whatever Israel does though should not weaken the Siniora government in Lebanon,'' he added, referring to Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

Their tone was more sympathetic towards Israel than France or Russia, which has called the Israeli move a dangerous escalation of West Asia conflict.

Separately, the two leaders warned Iran they were going to the UN Security Council to consider steps against the Islamic Republic after its failure to respond to an incentives offer.

And both prodded Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow for a more open, democratic society as they prepare to join a Group of Eight summit in St Petersburg at the weekend.

Bush made the comments during a visit to Stralsund, a medieval town of 60,000 at the heart of Merkel's constituency in the former communist east of the country.

Relations between Berlin and Washington grew more strained than at any time since World War Two when Merkel's predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, opposed Bush's invasion of Iraq in 2003.

But Merkel, who took office in November, has repaired ties and emerged as a key ally of Bush, talking frequently with him on the phone on issues such as Iran's nuclear programme.

STRENGTHENING TIES The visit, which was to be capped by a wild boar barbecue in the former communist showcase village of Trinwillershagen, is intended to further strengthen ties between their countries.

Bush, a fan of Texas beef, seemed eager to tuck into the boar, joking repeatedly about it at the news conference.

''I understand I may have the honour of slicing the pig,'' Bush said, grinning and glancing over at Merkel.

Earlier, speaking to a crowd of 1,000 locals gathered in the Stralsund town square, the president called Germany a key friend and ally and touched on its Cold War division.

''For decades the German people were separated by an ugly wall. Here in the east millions of you lived in darkness and tyranny,'' Bush said. ''Today, your nation is whole again.'' He was handed a small wooden barrel of pickled herring.

Although Iran was expected to be the focus of the talks between Bush and Merkel, violence in the Middle East has become a more urgent issue.

Israel intensified reprisals against Hizbollah fighters in Lebanon today, hitting Beirut airport and blockading Lebanese ports in retaliation for an attack a day earlier in which eight Israeli soldiers were killed and two taken hostage.

''The concern is that any activities by Israel to protect herself will weaken that government or topple that government.

We have made it clear in our discussions,'' Bush said. ''Having said all that, people need to protect themselves.'' On Iran, Bush and Merkel were vague on what steps they would urge the Security Council to take.

''If Iran does not agree to this offer, then unfortunately we need to go down other routes,'' said Merkel, while Bush said Iran could still respond to the offer.

REUTERS KD HS2138