Bush says Iran and Syria must end Lebanon interference

By Tabassum Zakaria and Matt Spetalnick

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Wednesday that Syria and Iran must end interference in Lebanese politics, and called for nations in the region to support Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

Bush, at the end of a Middle East tour of Israel and Arab countries, also promised to stay engaged in Middle East peacemaking and said he was optimistic an Israeli-Palestinian agreement could be reached before he leaves office.

Speaking about Lebanon, Bush said: "It's important to encourage the holding of immediate and unconditional presidential elections according to the Lebanese constitution."

"And to make it clear to Syria, Iran and their allies they must end their interference and efforts to undermine the process," Bush added.

A political conflict pitting Siniora's Western-backed governing coalition against opposition led by Hezbollah, which is backed by Syria and Iran, has paralyzed government.

Bush also sought support from Arab allies to contain Iran's growing regional influence, and told them Tehran remained a threat despite a National Intelligence Estimate that said Iran stopped its nuclear weapons program in 2003.

U.S. tensions with Iran resurfaced recently after an incident in the Strait of Hormuz in which the United States said Iranian ships harassed U.S. ships.

Bush says the Unites States continues to pursue diplomatic means to resolve issues with Iran, but that all options are on the table.