US tells Syria: stop meddling in Lebanon, Iraq
AFP
Date: 05-20-05
SHUNEH, Jordan (AFP) - The United States said Syria must stop supporting the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and meddling in Iraq, as Washington kept up diplomatic pressure on Damascus.
"Our prime role, having a united front (with Europe), is to insist that the Syrians apply (UN Security Council Resolution) 1559," US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick told reporters.
"If Syria wants good ties with the United States, it can't be supporting Hezbollah and undermining the situation in Iraq," Zoellick said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting here.
The US official also said that the outcome of elections in Lebanon, due to start at the end of the month, will likely apply pressure on Hezbollah on whether to "remain an armed militia or (become) a political party."
Disarming the Shiite Hezbollah is one of the main requirements of resolution 1559, which also called for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon, a demand Syria fulfilled with the pullout of all its troops.
The US official held talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II, Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.
On Iraq, Zoellick said that after failing to block Iraqi elections and forming a new government, "Jihadists are trying to stir sectarian strife."
He said a conference will be held late June in Brussels in a bid to garner support for the elected Iraqi government and many countries are attending.
Although there are still 26 countries contributing with troops to the US-led coalition forces in Iraq, Zoellick acknowledged that it was easier to convince countries to make economic aid rather than sending troops.
"Iraqi forces are the key issue ... The Iraqi forces are getting better, but you still need US help in Iraq ... The insurgents' strategy is getting narrow," he said.
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