Via Reuters: Bush Demands Syria Out of Lebanon by May

President Bush on Tuesday demanded Syria pull troops out of Lebanon before Lebanese parliamentary elections in May and give way to a democracy movement providing hope in the broader Middle East.

“The Lebanese people have the right to determine their future free from domination by a foreign power. The Lebanese people have the right to choose their own parliament this spring free of intimidation,” Bush said.

He actually made the May demand last week as well, but this seems to be a more forceful statement than the one I heard before. It is good to see him keep the pressure up–and much more is needed.

I do think that Lebanon needs increased attention by the administration–it democracy won’t work in a place where the basics are already in place, it will far harder to make the sale in the rest of the region.