White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Bush told Prime Minister Fouad Siniora that Lebanon "should be able to elect a president free from any external interference, including from Syria," a White House pool report said.

In response to a question, Perino amended her answer to say Bush said the Lebanese election should be from from interference "especially from Syria."

Bush and first lady Laura Bush took Air Force One from Waco, Texas, to Washington Monday afternoon.

Russia, France and Italy are pressuring Damascus to allow Lebanon's parliament to select a president before a deadline expires Nov. 24.