BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 24 (UPI) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said his official visit to the United States was aimed at securing support for his nation's freedom and independence.
In a radio interview held Monday, a day after returning from the U.S. where he met President George Bush and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, Siniora said he was assured of cooperation and support to enable the Lebanese government to surmount long-standing challenges.
"I am not entering into bets, but my country's interest necessitates that I knock on all doors and make efforts with all parties in order to reaffirm Lebanon's right to complete the liberation of its occupied territory, notably the Shabaa Farms," Siniora said.
He said he wants "to liberate the land and extend government authority in all Lebanese territories and to have the state's arms the only existing weapons."
The prime minister was implicitly referring to the Iranian-backed political movement Hezbollah, the only Lebanese group which is still armed against Israel.
Siniora stressed that the Lebanese "should agree among themselves on a certain defense strategy which should lead to the existence of one authority, that of the state which should have a monopoly of arms."
"I believe that is what all the Lebanese want and we have to resort to all means to achieve that result which is in Lebanon's interest," Siniora added.
The various Lebanese factions, including Hezbollah, have started dialogue on controversial issues such as the fates of Hezbollah's arms and the extended mandate of pro-Syria president Emile Lahoud.
Hezbollah insists on keeping its arms as long as the disputed Shabaa Farms, which Israel says it captured from Syria while Lebanon insists is part of its territory, is occupied.
