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'Don't undermine Lebanon govt'
02/08/2007 21:16 - (SA)
Washington - President George W Bush announced on Thursday the United States would freeze the property and interests of people deemed to be undermining Lebanon's democratic government.
Bush's executive order targets anyone considered to be helping Syria assert control in Lebanon or trying to break down the rule of law in that Middle Eastern country, including by means of violence.
"Such actions constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States," Bush said in an accompanying message to Congress.
Bush's order also applies to spouses and dependent children of those deemed to be contributing to instability in Lebanon and to those helping such people.
The Treasury secretary, in consultation with the secretary of state, will designate people affected by the order.
Such people will not be able to do business with US residents, and their identities will be announced to the international financial community.
'Quit meddling'
In June Bush barred entry to the United States for people the government determines are undermining Lebanon.
"All of these orders and presidential determinations related to Lebanon are saying, from the United States, that Syria needs to in Lebanon's affairs," said Gordon Johndroe, Bush's national security spokesperson.
The United States has limited diplomatic ties with Syria because of its support of Hezbollah and Hamas, which the United States considers terrorist organisations. Hezbollah is based in Lebanon, and its Shi'ite militia fought a war with Israel last year.
Bush contends Lebanon's sovereignty is constantly under attack.
The June 13 car bomb assassination of lawmaker Walid Eido was a blow to the stability of the small Mediterranean nation, which has been mired in a political power struggle between the government and the Hezbollah-led opposition.
Syria denies invovlement
Eido was a close friend of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated in a massive bombing in Beirut in February 2005 that killed 22 other people.
Eido also was a political ally of Hariri's son, Saad, who now leads the anti-Syrian majority in the Lebanese parliament. Five other anti-Syrian figures also have been assassinated the past two years.
Many in Lebanon blame Syria for the killings, but Syria denies involvement.
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