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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Syria denies Lebanon plot claim | Syria denies Lebanon plot claim |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Syria has denied White House claims that, together with Iran and Hezbollah, it is planning to try to topple the Lebanese government. | Syria has denied White House claims that, together with Iran and Hezbollah, it is planning to try to topple the Lebanese government. |
| The "rumours" spread by the US were wrong, the foreign ministry said. | The "rumours" spread by the US were wrong, the foreign ministry said. |
| A Syrian government newspaper described the comments as "pure vilification". | A Syrian government newspaper described the comments as "pure vilification". |
| The US believes Syria may be aiming to block a tribunal over the killing of Lebanese ex-PM Rafik Hariri, in which Syria has been implicated. | The US believes Syria may be aiming to block a tribunal over the killing of Lebanese ex-PM Rafik Hariri, in which Syria has been implicated. |
| On Wednesday, White House spokesman Tony Snow said the Bush administration was "increasingly concerned" by "mounting evidence" of a plan to bring the Lebanese government down. | On Wednesday, White House spokesman Tony Snow said the Bush administration was "increasingly concerned" by "mounting evidence" of a plan to bring the Lebanese government down. |
| He did not give further information, saying it was classified. | He did not give further information, saying it was classified. |
| Damascus rejected the claims in a foreign ministry statement. | Damascus rejected the claims in a foreign ministry statement. |
| "The rumours put about by the US administration according to which Syria, Iran and Hezbollah are seeking to destabilise the situation in Lebanon are wrong," the statement said. | "The rumours put about by the US administration according to which Syria, Iran and Hezbollah are seeking to destabilise the situation in Lebanon are wrong," the statement said. |
| And an editorial in the government Baath newspaper said: "This pure vilification is meant to raise turmoil in Lebanon and cause fallout with Syria." | And an editorial in the government Baath newspaper said: "This pure vilification is meant to raise turmoil in Lebanon and cause fallout with Syria." |
| Veto fears | Veto fears |
| Hezbollah is backed by Syria and Iran, and has two ministers in Lebanon's government. | Hezbollah is backed by Syria and Iran, and has two ministers in Lebanon's government. |
| Mr Hariri was killed in an explosion in February 2005 The BBC News website's world affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds says the White House statement appears to result from the tense situation in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is demanding one third of cabinet seats, thereby giving it a veto over decisions. | |
| Such a veto would enable it to block approval of the international tribunal to try suspects in Mr Hariri's assassination, our correspondent says. | Such a veto would enable it to block approval of the international tribunal to try suspects in Mr Hariri's assassination, our correspondent says. |
| The Hezbollah leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, has threatened street demonstrations in support of his demand. | The Hezbollah leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, has threatened street demonstrations in support of his demand. |
| The US is concerned that this instability could result in the fall of the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. | The US is concerned that this instability could result in the fall of the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. |
| UK mission | UK mission |
| The claim from the White House came as Britain held its highest level talks with Syria since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. | The claim from the White House came as Britain held its highest level talks with Syria since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. |
| Prime Minister Tony Blair's foreign policy adviser, Nigel Sheinwald, met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and senior ministers. | Prime Minister Tony Blair's foreign policy adviser, Nigel Sheinwald, met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and senior ministers. |
| Few details were given of the discussions, but the Financial Times newspaper reported that the visit was aimed at pressing Syria to cease its support for radical groups. | Few details were given of the discussions, but the Financial Times newspaper reported that the visit was aimed at pressing Syria to cease its support for radical groups. |
| As well as its relationship with Hezbollah, Syria is thought to have influence on some of the insurgent groups operating in Iraq. | As well as its relationship with Hezbollah, Syria is thought to have influence on some of the insurgent groups operating in Iraq. |
| "Syria had always faced a choice: it can play a constructive role in international affairs or it can continue to support terrorism," Mr Blair's official spokesman said. "The key question is what choice does it make?" | "Syria had always faced a choice: it can play a constructive role in international affairs or it can continue to support terrorism," Mr Blair's official spokesman said. "The key question is what choice does it make?" |
| Hariri tribunal | Hariri tribunal |
| A UN team has been investigating who was behind the death of Mr Hariri in a massive blast on Beirut's seafront in 2005. | A UN team has been investigating who was behind the death of Mr Hariri in a massive blast on Beirut's seafront in 2005. |
| Popular protests in response to the death led to the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon after a 29-year presence. | Popular protests in response to the death led to the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon after a 29-year presence. |
| The UN Security Council has approved the formation of an international tribunal to try those accused of involvement in the murder of Mr Hariri. | The UN Security Council has approved the formation of an international tribunal to try those accused of involvement in the murder of Mr Hariri. |
| The UN sent a draft plan for the tribunal to Lebanese authorities on 21 October but it has yet to be approved by Lebanon's cabinet and parliament or by the UN Security Council. | The UN sent a draft plan for the tribunal to Lebanese authorities on 21 October but it has yet to be approved by Lebanon's cabinet and parliament or by the UN Security Council. |
| The assassination has been widely blamed on Syria, but Mr Assad has repeatedly denied that his country had anything to do with the killing. | The assassination has been widely blamed on Syria, but Mr Assad has repeatedly denied that his country had anything to do with the killing. |