President Bush says the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, could become a part of Lebanon's political mainstream despite its past ties to terrorism.
However, he says Hezbollah must first disarm and then support the Middle East peace process.
Mr. Bush spoke on Tuesday at the White House, alongside visiting Jordanian King Abdullah. The United States and Jordan have been joined by the European Union and Saudi Arabia in launching an intense diplomatic push aimed at forcing Syria to withdraw from Lebanon.
Earlier Tuesday in Beirut, Syrian intelligence agents began evacuating offices in the Lebanese capital -- one day after a massive opposition protest aimed at ending Syria's military presence in the country.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak paid an unscheduled visit to Damascus Tuesday, for talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that diplomats say focused on the Syrian withdrawal.
However, he says Hezbollah must first disarm and then support the Middle East peace process.
Mr. Bush spoke on Tuesday at the White House, alongside visiting Jordanian King Abdullah. The United States and Jordan have been joined by the European Union and Saudi Arabia in launching an intense diplomatic push aimed at forcing Syria to withdraw from Lebanon.
Earlier Tuesday in Beirut, Syrian intelligence agents began evacuating offices in the Lebanese capital -- one day after a massive opposition protest aimed at ending Syria's military presence in the country.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak paid an unscheduled visit to Damascus Tuesday, for talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that diplomats say focused on the Syrian withdrawal.