U.S. weighs new anti-Syria resolution at U.N.

The United States may push for a new U.N. Security Council resolution on Syria in hopes of reinforcing existing council demands for that country to respect Lebanese sovereignty, a senior official said Thursday.

Photo: U.S. weighs new anti-Syria resolution at U.N.

As before, the United States has been in close touch with France on the issue. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is tentatively planning to raise the subject next week in New York with French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy.

Syria's refusal to open an embassy in Beirut is a sign that Syria has yet to accept Lebanese sovereignty, said the official, asking not to be identified because no final decisions have been made on future U.S. actions at the U.N.

A resolution adopted by the Security Council in September 2004 calls for strict respect for Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence under Lebanese government authority, repoorts AP.

O.Ch.