Bush, Siniora meeting uncertain

WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush would like to meet with embattled Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora but the outlook is uncertain, the White House said Tuesday.

Bush wants to meet with Siniora in Egypt later in the week. However, Lebanon has been torn by civil war and the Hezbollah militia and reports say Siniora might not be able to get back into the country if he leaves to meet the U.S. president.

"I think the president would certainly like to meet him while he's there in Egypt but obviously there's considerations that have to be taken into account," White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said. "And so we'll keep you updated as those developments occur."

Perino rejected criticism in Lebanon and elsewhere that the United States has avoided taking a strong stand on the fighting in Lebanon.

Monday night, "we issued a statement by the president condemning Hezbollah's action and pledging our continued support," Perino said, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has also issued a strong statement of support.