US calls Lebanon deal "positive step" to end crisis

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice welcomed a deal between rival Lebanese leaders and said it was a good step towards resolving the current political crisis.

“We view this agreement as a positive step towards resolving the current crisis by electing a president, forming a new government and addressing Lebanon’s electoral law,” said Ms Rice, who called for the deal to be fully implemented.

The Arab League mediated a deal between the US-backed ruling coalition of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and the Hezbollah-led opposition, resolving a dispute over a law for holding 2009 parliamentary elections and meeting the opposition’s long-standing demand for veto power in Cabinet.

Putting the best face forward on a deal that gives Hezbollah more power, senior State Department official David Welch also welcomed the accord but said a lot more work needed to be done.

“This is not the end of this crisis. Lebanon still has to go through implementing this agreement. These are very delicate political subjects for Lebanon,” said Mr Welch.

The US strongly opposes Hezbollah, which it sees as a terrorist group supported by US foes Syria and Iran.

Asked whether he believed Lebanon’s government had “caved” to Hezbollah’s demands for veto power in the Cabinet, Mr Welch said: “It is not for us to decide how Lebanon does this, how Lebanon’s political leadership addresses this.”

Ms Rice made a point in her statement to stress that Lebanon’s government should have complete control of its territory.

“The US supports the government of Lebanon and its complete authority over the entire territory of the country,” said Ms Rice.