Zalmay Khalilzad, the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations told the Council at the special monthly meeting devoted for reviewing the situation in the Midle east " I believe that the Council is ready to study further additional measures to punish those who are blocking the election of the President election in Lebanon and to change their attitudes." His comment is a clear message to the United Nations "to impose international sanctions against Syria."

This American position came about shortly after the head of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri decided to postpone yesterday’s meeting for electing the president of the Lebanese republic until December 29. This is the tenth postponement so far.

Khalilzad said in his speech to the Security Council: "I would like to emphasize the concern to the United States for the inability of the Lebanese to exercise their democratic right to elect the President, and we urge the Lebanese opposition who is obstructing the election , and those who support them from outside Lebanon, Syria in particular, to stop their demands for the preconditions , since these are unconstitutional. "

Khalilzad added: "We urge the Lebanese to elect a new president quickly, and in conformity with the Lebanese constitution and without pressure from outside parties”

He continued by saying "I wish to point out here - that in any event - and until such a time when a new president is elected , the United States will continue to have full confidence in the Lebanese government's legitimacy and in its management of state affairs and will fully support it and support the Lebanese armed forces to continue to provide security."

In response to a question by Kuwait News Agency , Khalilzad said “ the phrase ‘additional measures’ means everything including sanctions and many other penalties “ but he did not reveal any details , what these will be

This is the new American stance following the statement of President George Bush on Thursday, in which he said that his patience has "run out a long time ago" with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad , for hosting in Damascus the Hamas movement and for supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon and for destabilizing Lebanon “and warned Syria of the consequences of interference in the Lebanese affairs.

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