...The resolution sends a strong message to Syria from the United States and key European countries to get out of Lebanon, but it is unlikely to have any major impact. Lebanon's Parliament is expected to approve the amendment, and Syria's UN Ambassador Fayssal Mekdad rejected it as "interference" in Lebanon's affairs.

The United States and France introduced the resolution, Britain and Germany signed on as late co-sponsors and Spain, Romania, Chile, Angola and Benin joined them in voting "yes." China and Russia - both permanent council members - abstained along with Pakistan, Algeria, Brazil and the Philippines.

Immediately before the vote, Lebanon's Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Mohammed Issa called on the council to withdraw the resolution, saying it "constitutes an interference" in Lebanon's internal affairs and "discusses bilateral relations between two friendly countries, none of which has filed any complaint."

He said members of the Lebanese Parliament, "chosen by free and impartial elections, have the right to decide on presidential elections, and to determine the persons to be elected."

But US Ambassador John Danforth urged the Lebanese Parliament and Cabinet to "express the will of the Lebanese people through a free and fair presidential electoral process."

"What the Lebanese people and we have witnessed over the past week, in terms of Syrian actions, is a crude mockery of this principle," he said. "It is clear that Lebanese parliamentarians have been pressured and even threatened by Syria and its agents to make them comply."...

...China's UN Ambassador Wang Guangya backed Lebanon, saying the presidential election was an "internal affair" and a centerpiece of Beijing's foreign policy is the non-interference in other countries' internal affairs.