Related: U.S. accuses Syria, Iran, Hezbollah of trying to topple Lebanese government
DAMASCUS, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Syrian Foreign
Ministry source on Thursday rejected a U.S. accusation that Damascus is trying
to topple the Lebanese government with Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah, the official
SANA news agency reported.
Describing the U.S. accusation as "inaccurate," the
source said that Syria has announced its support to what the Lebanese agreed
upon through their national dialogue since the withdrawal of Syrian forces from
Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Syrian ruling party's al-Baath daily
dismissed in an editorial the U.S. accusation as "pure rubbish," adding it "is
meant to raise turmoil in Lebanon."
On Wednesday, the White House said that the United
States had "mounting evidence" that the Syrian and Iranian governments,
Hezbollah, and their Lebanese allies were preparing to topple the Lebanese
government and asked them to keep their "hands off."
U.S. officials, however, refused to provide details
or even describe the information underpinning the accusation, saying it was
classified and keeping the charge vague "serves a diplomatic purpose and an
important one."
Shortly after the allegation was made, the Syrian
Embassy in Washington issued a statement, rejecting the claims as "ludicrous"
and "unfounded."
"Syria fully respects the sovereignty of Lebanon and
does not interfere in its internal politics. Therefore, we call on the United
States to follow suit and to stop instigating the Lebanese people against each
other and against other countries," the statement said.