U.S. Embassy Says Syria Must be 'Held Accountable' for Bids to Destabilize Lebanon

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The U.S. Embassy in Beirut on Friday said it was “very concerned by the continuing violence in Tripoli,” adding that “Assad regime officials should be held accountable for involvement in alleged attempts to destabilize Lebanon.”

The embassy expressed its “sincere condolences for the loss of life,” calling on all parties to “exercise restraint and respect for Lebanese security and stability.”

In remarks posted on Twitter, the embassy also called on the Assad regime to “respect the sovereignty, independence, and stability of Lebanon,” condemning “the regime's continued shelling of Lebanese territory.”

Clashes between pro- and anti-Syrian factions in the northern city of Tripoli killed three people including a Sunni cleric on Friday, jeopardizing a fragile truce.

The deaths brought to 14 the number of people killed in fighting between the rival neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh over the past five days.

A further 110 people have been wounded, most of them shot by snipers.

The United Nations on Wednesday called for greater international support to protect an increasingly divided Lebanon from fallout from the civil war in neighboring Syria.

"As the crisis in Syria continues to deteriorate, the situation in Lebanon has become more precarious and the need for continued international support to the government and the Lebanese Armed Forces increasingly important," said under secretary general Jeffrey Feltman.

"Tensions over domestic and security concerns remain high throughout the country and are easily exacerbated by developments in Syria," Feltman told a council meeting on the Middle East.

Tripoli’s clashes, the kidnappings of Syrians in Lebanon, and shelling across the border have all heightened concern about Lebanon's stability.

Feltman said the arrest of former minister Michel Samaha for involvement in smuggling explosives from Syria had also "deepened concerns about attempts to draw Lebanon into regional concerns."

SourceNaharnet
Comments 7
Thumb benzona over 11 years

Syria will keep pushing for more troubles as they're getting desperate. s The butcher knows his days are numbered, that's why he's even more dangerous than before. Long live the Syrian Revolution and the future amazing and enjoyable relationship we'll have with the democratically elected Syrian leaders.

Thumb lebanon_first over 11 years

all talk. They didnt even do a no fly zone yet.

Default-user-icon Michel Assi (Guest) over 11 years

So should the USA foreign policy in the whole middle east. Stop stiring strife & we are better off without you

Thumb shab over 11 years

The US are helping them, notice how they have advanced lately

Missing roger@10452 over 11 years

I just hope you don't make your living being a pollster because your "facts" are upside down.

If you hate the US that much then you should throw away your I-Pad, I-Phone and your PC. Also next time you go to the hospital dont use their MRI machines at the risk of losing your life. And better yet just disconnect your internet completely. I am only naming few things that your "enemy the US" invented that are making your life worth living.

And you would have preferred to live under Hitler???

How ungrateful...you must have PLO blood in you...

Missing cedars over 11 years

Bravo Roger@10452

Missing cedars over 11 years

@bigjohn, It is true the US is always kissing up to the Zionists simply because the Jews were smart to become Doctors, Lawyers and infiltrated the US system to influence the US decisions and their entire system, what did your Iranian friends support and do instead? they have created and supported every terrorist organization from Hizbollah to the PLO instead of fighting back using the same tools and took the world 50 yrs backward in culture since the removal of the Shah.