BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Satterfield called on Syria Monday to cooperate in the war on terrorism in Iraq and Lebanon.
Speaking after a meeting with Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud, Satterfield said "a just and suitable settlement should be reached between Lebanon and Syria."
"Lebanon should not be excluded from the trend of freedom and democracy that is sweeping the region, from Pakistan to the Palestinian territories ... especially as Lebanon has a long history in democracy," he said.
He reiterated his government's support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for Syria to withdraw its approximately 15,000 troops from Lebanon and for the dissolution of local and foreign militias, in reference to Hezbollah and armed Palestinian factions.
Satterfield called the Feb. 14 slaying of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri "a national and international tragedy. The United States and the U.N. urge the Lebanese government to uncover the culprits and bring them to justice as quickly as possible."
He stressed, "We want to have better relations with Syria, but that can only be possible when Syria cooperates in Iraq and in putting an end to terrorism."
