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Clinton says US never will 'sell out' Lebanon

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-27 09:14

BEIRUT -- Ahead of an election that could oust the US-backed Beirut government, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday that Washington supports "voices of moderation" and never will make a deal Syria that "sells out" Lebanon's interests.

The June 7 vote could boost the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and its allies, possibly paving the way for renewed Syrian influence over Lebanon.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton signs a condolence book at the grave of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, seen pictured in the background, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday April 26, 2009. [Agencies]

"The people of Lebanon must be able to choose their own representatives in open and fair elections without the specter of violence or intimidation and free of outside interference," Clinton told a news conference after meeting with President Michel Suleiman.

"Beyond the elections, we will continue to support the voices of moderation in Lebanon and the responsible institutions of the Lebanese state they are working hard to build. Our ongoing support for the Lebanese armed forces remains a pillar of our bilateral cooperation," she added.

Syria dominated Lebanon for nearly three decades before it was forced to withdraw its tens of thousands of troops four years ago in the wake of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. There have been concerns among anti-Syrian factions in the pro-US parliamentary majority that the Obama administration's talks with Syria could weaken American support for Lebanon.

In a possible sign of a new diplomatic openness between the US and Syria, American officials noted that Clinton's Air Force plane flew to Lebanon from Kuwait directly through Syrian airspace, instead of bypassing it as such flights usually do.

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Clinton said she delivered a letter from Obama to Suleiman expressing strong support for a free, sovereign and independent Lebanon. She said US attempts to engage Syria and Iran are not being done at the expense of that support.

"There is nothing that we would do in any way that would undermine Lebanon's sovereignty," Clinton said. "I want to assure any Lebanese citizen that the United States will never make any deal with Syria that sells out Lebanon and the Lebanese people. You have been through too much and it is only right that you are given a chance to make your own decisions," Clinton said.

"It's a complicated neighborhood you live in and you have the right to your own future," she added.

Hezbollah spokesman Ibrahim Mussawi said Clinton's visit could have a negative impact on the pro-US factions in the country. Speaking on the group's Al-Manar TV after Clinton arrived, Mussawi said it was too early to tell whether the Obama administration has reassessed its policy.

But, he added, American "interference in the past was never positive." He also criticized what he termed a "double standard and deception," when the US calls for Islamic factions to participate in elections and then refuses to accept the results if they win.

Clinton first trip to one of the most volatile countries in the Middle East lasted a little less than three hours. She would not speculate on the results of the election and what the US would do if Hezbollah wins, stressing a free and fair elections.

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