Bush says fight in Lebanon is US war with Iranian militants

WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush Monday warned Iran and Syria that the international community would not allow Lebanon to fall under foreign domination again, as he vowed to shore up the Lebanese army.Bush reaffirmed Washington's support for Prime Minister Fuad Siniora amid deadly violence pitting mainly Sunni supporters of the government and militants loyal to the Shiite Hezbollah-led opposition."I strongly condemn Hezbollah's recent efforts, and those of their foreign sponsors in Tehran and Damascus, to use violence and intimidation to bend the government and people of Lebanon to their will," Bush said in a statement."The international community will not allow the Iranian and Syrian regimes, via their proxies, to return Lebanon to foreign domination and control," he said.Bush said Washington would help Siniora by strengthening his armed forces."It's probably the most practical way that we can get some help to him quickly," he told Al Arabiya television, according to a transcript of the interview."They're not great yet, but they're pretty good. And we want to make them better so that they can respond."Bush said he planned to consult with regional leaders durings his trip to the Middle East this week in order to coordinate efforts to support Siniora's government and implement UN resolutions supporting Lebanon's sovereignty."It is critical that the international community come together to assist the Lebanese people in their hour of need," said the US leader, who leaves Tuesday on a five-day trip to Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt."The Lebanese people have sacrificed much for the sake of their freedom, and the United States will continue to stand with them against this latest assault on their independence and security," he said in the statement.