President Bush announced Thursday the United States will freeze the property and interests of people deemed to be undermining Lebanon's democratic government.
Bush's executive order targets anyone found to be helping Syria assert control in Lebanon or otherwise trying to break down the rule of law, including by means of violence.
"Such actions constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States," Bush said in an accompanying message to Congress.
Bush's order also applies to spouses and dependent children of those deemed to be contributing to instability in Lebanon, and to those providing aid to such people.
The treasury secretary, in consultation with the secretary of state, will designate the people affected by the order. They will not be able to do business with U.S. residents, and their identity will be announced to the international financial community.
Bush in June barred U.S. entry to people deemed to be undermining Lebanon.
"All of these orders and presidential determinations related to Lebanon are saying, from the United States, that Syria needs to quit meddling in Lebanon's affairs," said Gordon Johndroe, Bush's national security spokesman.
The struggle continues. Under this president, of course.
UPDATE: The UN Security Council has expressed concern over Syria's and Iran's shipment of weapons into Lebanon (for Hizbollah). But the statement was watered down to generalities. The effects of the Sainted international community!
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said the expression of "grave concern" at reports of arms embargo breaches sends "a strong message that Syria needs to do more ... to stop arms shipments into Lebanon."
The presidential statement was adopted a day after President Bush announced that the U.S. will freeze the property and interests of anyone undermining Lebanon's democratic government. In June, the U.S. barred entry to anyone undermining Lebanon's stability.
If this statement reinforces our direct efforts, we can continue to put pressure on Syria and Iran.
