At the meeting in Rome that was held to try and resolve the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the problem and solution are far broader in scope than the present conflict.
It is a battle for democracy and the sovereignty of Lebanon.
The United States sees oppurtunity to help Lebanon emerge stronger, so as to deal the enemies of peace and stability in the region a far reaching blow.
The United States strongly believes that Iranian and Syrian forces are encouraging and abetting radical and terrorist groups and disrupting peace in the region.
Iran in particular is thought to have facilitated the July 12 Hezbollah cross-border raid that sparked off the conflict.
The administration is re-focusing attention from Israel's brutal and punishing bombardment of Lebanon to the question of freedom.
A broad agreement about regional democracy may not be at hand, but that a more effective international force to be deployed in southern Lebanon is to happen. Whether the force would be deployed before or after the Hezbollah is disarmed remains to be seen.
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