U.S. President George W. Bush ordered on Thursday a freeze on U.S. assets of anyone undermining the Lebanese government and political stability in Lebanon.
In his letter to Congress, Bush said his order targets anyone believed to be "undermining Lebanon's democratic processes or institutions or contributing to the breakdown of the rule of law in Lebanon."
The letter did not identify those affected by the order. But he called on the Treasury and State departments to determine which people or actors can be seen as undermining Lebanon's sovereignty.
Bush imposed a U.S. travel ban in June on Syrian officials and Lebanese politicians whom Washington accuses of undermining the Lebanese government led by Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
"The president signed this executive order because Lebanon's sovereignty and democratic institutions are increasingly under attack," U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
He cited May-to-June assaults by well-armed extremists on the Lebanese army, the June 13 assassination of Judge Walid Eido, and reports that Syria's allies and proxies in Lebanon may be preparing an alternate government, as signs of the threat.
Washington has been praising Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, in the face of a threat of violence and intimidation, for having stuck fast to the principles of political reform, democracy and sovereignty in the country.
The U.S. Congress approved in late May a budget request of 770 million dollars in aid for Lebanon, with 280 million dollars of that earmarked for military assistance to Lebanon.
Source: Xinhua
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