US drafts resolution demanding Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States has circulated a draft resolution to other Security Council members demanding that Syrian forces withdraw "without delay" from Lebanon.

The resolution, co-sponsored by France, "declares its support for a free and fair electoral process in Lebanon's upcoming presidential election conducted according to Lebanese constitutional rules devised without foreign interference or influence."

It also calls for the disbandment and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias.

UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan will report to the council within 30 days on the implementation of the proposed measure.

But the Syrian Foreign Minister, Farouk al-Sharaa, said that the draft resolution is groundless.

In another development, after a meeting with Arab League chief Amr Moussa, Lebanon's Foreign Minister Jean Obeid stressed the importance of good relations between Lebanon and Syria.

Moussa said that the Arab nations oppose the forwarding of resolutions by western powers against Lebanon and Syria through the United Nations.