US faults Syria, Iran, Hezbollah on Lebanon

WASHINGTON, Nov 1 (Reuters) The United States today said it believed Syria, Lebanon and Hezbollah militants were trying to destabilize the Lebanese government.

White House spokesman Tony Snow said in a statement Washington was ''increasingly concerned by mounting evidence that the Syrian and Iranian governments, Hezbollah and their Lebanese allies are preparing plans to topple Lebanon's democratically elected government led by Prime Minister (Fouad) Siniora.'' Snow added that the United States believed one of Syria's aims was to prevent the Lebanese government from approving a law to set up a tribunal to try those accused of involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

''Any such effort to sideline the tribunal will fail, however, for the international community can proceed with establishing it no matter what happens internally in Lebanon,'' Snow said.

REUTERS PDM HS2336