President Bush says Syria must withdraw all of its troops and intelligence personnel out of Lebanon before the country's May parliamentary elections.
Mr. Bush said Tuesday that the Lebanese vote cannot be fair if there is still a Syrian presence. He added that Syria will face increased international isolation if it does not pull out. He says Syria's pledge to move its troops closer to its border is a delaying tactic.
Mr. Bush said freedom will prevail in Lebanon. He says democracy is beginning to transform the Middle East, referring to the recent elections in Iraq and the Palestinian territories. He added that the United States looks forward to the day when Iran joins the trend.