Rice voices U.S. support of Lebanon pact

BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in Lebanon Monday, said the United States supports a pact between the government and the Hezbollah-led opposition.

"I have expressed on behalf of President (George) Bush and on behalf of the American people, our desire to support Lebanon, its government, its democratic institutions, and its people in building a fully sovereign, a peaceful Lebanon, and a Lebanon that is prosperous and democratic for all of its people," Rice said during a news conference Monday with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman.

Lebanon's Western-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition have struck an agreement to end an 18-month crisis that threatened civil war, CNN reported. The two rival factions have been at odds over how to form a unity government.

Rice also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, a U.S. ally, during her surprise visit to the Middle Eastern country.