US Vice-President's trip to Lebanon draws Hezbollah ire

BEIRUT (Reuters/AFP) - US Vice-President Joe Biden, the most senior American official to visit Lebanon in 26 years, took a swipe at Hezbollah on Friday, but denied seeking to sway an election that may unseat a Western-backed coalition.
Lebanese vote on June 7 in a poll that pits an alliance including Hezbollah - an Iranian- and Syrian-backed group - against an anti-Syrian coalition now holding a majority in parliament.
The vice-president said the United States was committed to comprehensive peace in the Middle East, including Lebanon.
I urge those who would think about standing with the spoilers of peace not to miss this opportunity to walk away from the spoilers, Biden added in a veiled reference to Hezbollah, which opposes US-led efforts to forge Arab-Israeli peace.
Biden said he had come to show US support for Lebanons sovereignty, which cannot and will not be traded away.
I did not come here to back any party, he said after talks with President Michel Suleiman, but added that future US aid to Lebanon would depend on the nature of the next government.
The election of leaders committed to the rule of law and economic reform opens the door to lasting growth and prosperity, Biden declared. We will evaluate the shape of our assistance programme based on the composition of the new government and the policies it advocates.
Hezbollah criticised Bidens visit, which followed one by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in April, as meddling in Lebanon, and denounced US support for Israel.
The high American interest in Lebanon raises strong suspicion as to the real reason behind it, especially since it has become a clear and detailed intervention in Lebanese affairs, Hezbollah said in a statement.
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah told AFP: We call on all Lebanese, regardless of their political views, to rise up against such meddling which represents a flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty.
Lebanese authorities closed many Beirut streets to ensure security for Bidens one-day visit. Helicopters clattered overhead and police sirens wailed across the capital.
Biden also met Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a pro-Syrian ally of Hezbollah.
Biden, without mentioning Hezbollah, said the US upheld the principle that the Lebanese state, accountable to the Lebanese people, is the defender of Lebanese freedom.
Bidens visit was the first by an American vice-president to Lebanon since 1983, the year when suicide bombers attacked the US Embassy and Marine headquarters, and the most senior US visit since that time, a US Embassy official said.
Hezbollah, founded to fight Israels occupation of Lebanon after a 1982 invasion, has since entered domestic politics to secure legitimacy as an armed resistance group, saying its weapons are needed to defend Lebanon from Israel.