In his remarks to the press, President Bush said that he backs the democratic forces in Lebanon and wants those responsible for the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri to be brought to justice.

President Bush said the United States strongly supports a free, independent, and sovereign Lebanon, following the withdrawal of Syrian troops on the heels of popular protests last year.

"We took great joy in seeing the Cedar Revolution," said Mr. Bush. "We understand that the hundreds of thousands of people who took to the street to express their desire to be free required courage, and we support the desire of the people to have a government responsive to their needs and a government that is free, truly free."

The Syrian withdrawal was also prompted by international pressure following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who opposed Syria's nearly 30-year presence in Lebanon. Initial investigations by U.N. officials point to Syrian involvement in his killing, an allegation the government in Damascus denies.

President Bush again called for those responsible to be brought to justice. Standing with the president outside the White House, Prime Minister Siniora thanked him for his support for a full investigation, and says he is trying his best to maintain good relations with Syria, a neighbor with whom he says Lebanon has both a long history and a future.

"We are very keen on maintaining cordial and healthy relations, based on mutual respect and parity," said Mr. Siniora.

The prime minister says his government has made major changes since Syria's withdrawal.

"We are there to meet the expectations of the people to have a united, liberal, free country, and, at the same time, prosperous economy," he added.

President Bush says Lebanon has a long history of enterprise and prosperity, and he is confident that, if allowed to be free, Beirut will regain its place as a center of finance, culture and the arts.

"There is no question in my mind that Lebanon can serve as a great example for what is possible in the broader Middle East, that, out of the tough times the country has been through will rise a state that shows that it is possible for people of religious difference to live side-by-side in peace, to show that it is possible for people to put aside past histories to live together in a way that the people want, which is for there to be peace and hope and opportunity," added Mr. Bush.

President Bush regularly cites political changes in Lebanon and elections in Iraq as evidence of broader democratic change in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Siniora is expected to meet later this week with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Here is a complete transcript of the comments to the press by Both President Bush and Prime Minister Siniora, as issued by the White House:

President Bush Welcomes Prime Minister Siniora of Lebanon to the White House South Lawn

PRESIDENT BUSH: It's been my honor to welcome the Prime Minister of Lebanon to the Oval Office. Prime Minister, thanks for coming.

PRIME MINISTER SINIORA: Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, we just had a really interesting discussion. I told the Prime Minister that the United States strongly supports a free and independent and sovereign Lebanon. We took great joy in seeing the Cedar Revolution. We understand that the hundreds of thousands of people who took to the street to express their desire to be free required courage, and we support the desire of the people to have a government responsive to their needs and a government that is free, truly free.

We talked about the need to make sure that there is a full investigation on the death of former Prime Minister Hariri, and we'll work with the international community to see that justice is done. We talked about the great tradition of Lebanon to serve as a model of entrepreneurship and prosperity. Beirut is one of the great international cities, and I'm convinced that if Lebanon is truly free and independent and democratic, that Beirut will once again regain her place as a center of financial and culture and the arts.

There's no question in my mind that Lebanon can serve as a great example for what is possible in the broader Middle East; that out of the tough times the country has been through will rise a state that shows that it's possible for people of religious difference to live side-by-side in peace; to show that it's possible for people to put aside past histories to live together in a way that the people want, which is, therefore, to be peace and hope and opportunity.

And so, Mr. Prime Minister, we're really glad you're here. I want to thank you for the wonderful visit we've had, and welcome you here to the White House.

PRIME MINISTER SINIORA: Thank you very much, Mr. President. I would like to really thank President Bush for giving us the opportunity to be here at the White House and to discuss matters of mutual interest to the United States and Lebanon, and matters that has to do with the developments that have been taking place in Lebanon.

For the past over 16 or 18 months, Lebanon has been undergoing major changes. And Lebanon has really been committing itself that we want the change to happen to -- in a democratic and a peaceful manner, but at the same time, to really stay course -- on course; that we are there to meet the expectations of the people to have a united, liberal, free country, and, at the same time, prosperous economy.

So that are the matters that we have discussed with President Bush, and I really would like to seize this opportunity to thank President Bush and the United States for the support that they have been extending to Lebanon throughout the past periods, and with all the resolutions that were taken since the assassination of Prime Minister Hariri. The United States has been of great support to Lebanon.

I am really convinced that President Bush and the United States will stand beside Lebanon to have Lebanon stay as a free, democratic, united, and sovereign state. And the United States is really of great importance in this regard, whether this can be done directly or indirectly. So I would like once more to express our great thanks for President Bush and the United States for this.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. (Applause.)

President Bush with Prime Minister Siniora and the Lebanese ministers

President Bush with Prime Minister Siniora during their meeting with the press

First Lady, Laura Bush (R) and Hoda Siniora, Prime Minister Siniora's wife at the White House in Washington, DC

Source: The White House