BEIRUT, Lebanon, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welsh Saturday asserted Washington's firm support to Lebanon's independence and sovereignty.
Welsh, who arrived in Beirut earlier in the day, stressed that no deal should be made to undermine Lebanon's sovereignty and independence, in obvious allusion to Saudi and Egyptian efforts to work out an agreement between Lebanon and its former powerbroker, Syria.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Christian Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, Welsh said Washington believes that it was time to achieve unity, cooperation and solidarity in order to resolve all the problems in Lebanon.
He added the U.S. supports dialogue among the Lebanese to achieve national unity and a democratic multi-confessional Lebanon which would be ruled with transparency and enjoy a strong economy.
Lebanon has been rocked by bombings and assassinations since October 2004, including the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which many Lebanese blame on Syria.
Welsh was greeted at the airport by Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, who asserted that all Lebanese, without exception, want to discover the truth behind Hariri's killing and supports the work of the international inquiry set up with Washington's backing.
Salloukh said he affirmed to Welsh that the Lebanese people want security and stability in south Lebanon "which are undermined by almost daily Israeli violations, continued Israeli occupation of Shabaa Farms and the issue of Lebanese prisoners in Israel."
He said he explained to the U.S. official "that the armed resistance constituted a natural reaction by the Lebanese people against Israeli occupation and aggression, and that it enjoys large popularity."
Anti-Israel resistance is perpetuated by the Shiite Hezbollah organization, which Washington considers as a terrorist group.
