DAMASCUS, Nov 3: Syria on Saturday slammed what it said was US meddling in the upcoming Lebanese presidential elections, accusing it of hindering dialogue between the Lebanese.

“The immoral and blunt US interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs has been clearly demonstrated,” said an editorial in the state-run Tishrin daily, which reflects government thinking.

“Condoleezza Rice speaks about Lebanon as if it is an American state,” Tishrin said, referring to comments made by the US secretary of state on her flight to Europe on Thursday, in which she laid down strong conditions that she said the US and Lebanon’s European backers demand in the upcoming election.

Rice said Lebanon’s next president must be committed to constitutional order, support UN Security Council resolutions protecting the country’s sovereignty and commit to seeing through a tribunal for the suspects in the 2005 killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Despite marathon discussions between pro-government and opposition leaders in Lebanon, the two groups have made no headway in electing a new president to prevent a power vacuum or the formation of two rival administrations.

With time running out, the election has become a showdown between Iran and Syria who back the opposition, and the United States and its European allies, who support the parliamentary majority and Prime Minister Fuad Saniora’s government. The US accuses Syria and Iran of interfering in Lebanese affairs and backing attempts to topple Saniora.—AP