Syria raps UN over Lebanon resolution

Syria Monday rapped the UN Security Council for passing a resolution which demands Syria's respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and withdrawal of its troops from the neighboring country, but turning a blind eye to Israeli "aggression" against the Palestinians.

A comment on state radio said it is "very dangerous for the United Nations to intervene in matters that do not concern it, while ignoring at the same time the permanent (Israeli) aggression against the Palestinian people."

The five permanent members of the council "ought to work in line with the principles of international law and force an end to the crimes perpetrated by (Israeli Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon" in the Palestinian territories, it said.

The United States, which accused Syria of exerting too much influence over extending the incumbent Lebanese President Emile Lahoud's six-year term, circulated a draft resolution to other UN Security Council members on Wednesday, demanding respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and a withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon.

Despite strong objections from Syria and Lebanon, the UN Security Council Thursday narrowly voted in favor of the US-proposed resolution.

Right after that, Syria immediately described it as a "failure" for the United States, because the original text was changed and the name of Syria was forced out of the final one.

Arab League Chief Amr Moussa, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed their disapproval to the new UN resolution separately on Saturday.

Syria has stationed up to 20,000 troops in Lebanon and enjoyed great political influence in its southern neighbor. The Lebanese government has repeatedly said the presence of the Syrian army has been a stabilizing factor since the 1975-90 civil war.