Support for a sovereign, democratic, and prosperous Lebanon is a key element of U.S. policy in the Middle East. We are therefore increasingly concerned by mounting evidence that the Syrian and Iranian governments, Hizballah, and their Lebanese allies are preparing plans to topple Lebanon's democratically-elected government led by Prime Minister Siniora.

The U.S. military in Iraq says five American troops have been killed in western Anbar province, raising the death toll among U.S. forces to 96 this month.

It is the highest monthly toll since January 2005, when 107 American troops were killed.

U.S. President George Bush has signed into a law a series of new rules for interrogating suspected terrorists and bringing them to trial. Critics say the measure violates defendants' civil liberties.