Rice Praises Arab League Statement; Repeats Call For End To Violence In Lebanon

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice repeated calls for Hezbollah to recognize the U.S.-supported Lebanese government on Monday, less than a week after opposition forces led by the Shiite extremist group occupied West Beirut.

"I saw the Arab League statement. I think it was a good statement and it made very clear that the militia should not be in the streets, that the - to use force of arms against one's own people is something that is clearly illegitimate," Rice said during a press conference after meeting with members of the Advisory Committee on Democracy Promotion in Washington.

"And there is a legitimate Government of Lebanon and we are working with others to support and sustain it," she added. "But the real goal must be here, to get a president elected in Lebanon. There is, of course, a consensus candidate and the - all of those who are interfering with this election should step apart - step aside and let it take place."

Fighting in Lebanon began last week after Hezbollah-led opposition forces, citing a purge against them by the government, occupied West Beirut. At least 60 people have died from the fighting, according to BBC.

The Arab League issued a statement after an emergency meeting in Cairo on Sunday condemning the violence in Beirut and calling on all factions to end the fighting. They also pledged to send a delegation to Lebanon to try to broker a peace agreement.

There has been an impasse between pro-government and opposition groups led by Hezbollah about who will serve as Lebanon's president since former President Emile Lahoud ended his second term in October 2007. The interim government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has the support of the U.S.