WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush on Thursday said Syria is "out of step" with other nations in the Middle East and said his country will work with other nations to press Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon.

    Bush said he did not know if Syria was involved in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

    "I can't tell you yet," Bush said, "I don't know that. I'm going to withhold judgment until we know what the facts are."

    Bush said the US supports an international investigation of Hariri's assassination, and that he would consult with allies about Syria when he visits Europe next week.

    Washington has withdrawn its ambassador to Syria, Margaret Scobey, after the assassination of Harri. That "indicates that therelationship is not moving forward," Bush said. Enditem