Bush offers Lebanon support on Hariri anniversary

Washington, Feb 15: President George W Bush renewed US support for the Lebanese government today, the second anniversary of the assassination of its former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Bush also condemned bus bombings yesterday that killed three people.

The United States has accused Syria, Iran and Hezbollah, a Lebanese guerrilla group backed by those countries, of trying to bring down the elected government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

''The United States reaffirms its support for a free and democratic Lebanon that is able to chart its own course,'' Bush said in a statement. He also repeated a call for a tribunal for bringing those responsible for Hariri's death to justice.

Some 300,000 Lebanese gathered in Beirut today to mourn their fallen leader and offer support for the anti-Syrian government. Syria, once the dominant power in Lebanon, has denied involvement in Hariri's death.

Bombs exploded on two buses in a Christian area of Lebanon on Tuesday, killing at least three people and wounding 20 others.

''The evil perpetrators of these attacks will not silence the Lebanese people's demands for justice and democracy in an independent Lebanon,'' Bush said.

The Bush administration has said it would ask Congress to approve 770 million dollars in aid to help rebuild Lebanon after the war between Hezbollah fighters and Israel last year.

Reuters

Related Stories