Rice Makes Surprise Visit to Lebanon

[Rose Siding]

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit to volatile Lebanon on Friday to encourage a new democratic government outside Syrian control and better relations between the two Mideast countries.

''We would like to see the day when there are good neighborly relations between Syria and Lebanon based on mutual respect and equality,'' Rice said in a joint press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Foud Saniora.

''But good neighbors don't close their borders to their neighbors,'' she said of tightened Syria security measures that have delayed or stranded thousands of Lebanese vehicles at the two countries' border. ''It is a very serious situation on the Lebanon border, where Lebanese trade is being strangled. ''

The meeting with Saniora was her third stop during an unannounced visit to Lebanon under heavy guard.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Rice.html?hp&ex=1122091200&en=d9ff5611ba4bdb4e&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Chipper Chat]

1. Rice: The Global Gadfly.

Her last stop will be Antartica, where she will attempt to spread democracy to the penguins.

[daleo]

3. Rice negotiating with penguins

I would like to see that.

[ncteechur]

2. I don't care where she is--get the extradition papers ready!!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

4. Is she looking for political asylum?