U.S. blames Iran, Syria for Lebanon

CRAWFORD, Texas, May 10 (UPI) -- The Bush administration maintains complete confidence in the government of Lebanon, a White House spokesman said Friday.

"They have proven in recent years that they want to make Lebanon a safe and prosperous country, and the United States stands firmly with the Lebanese government and the people of Lebanon," spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters in Crawford, Texas.

President George W. Bush hopes to meet with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in Egypt next week, Johndroe said.

The spokesman accused Iran and Syria of destabilizing Lebanon by supporting Hezbollah. The Iranian government Friday blamed the United States and Israel for the violence in Lebanon.