Lebanon's president reaffirmed on Sunday that Beirut would continue to work closely with Syria, as hundreds of Lebanese came to congratulate him on the extension of his term, which Washington says was orchestrated by Damascus.
Parliament voted on Friday to give Emile Lahoud another three years in office despite strong objections from the United Nations and United States, which says Syria forced the decision upon Lebanon, pressuring and intimidating members of parliament.
Lebanese and Syrian politicians have dismissed the objections, saying the international community has no right to interfere in Lebanon's internal politics.
Greeting citizens who came to his palace to congratulate him on Sunday, Lahoud said Beirut would maintain its relationship with Damascus which he said had helped protect Lebanon from turmoil elsewhere in the region over the past six years.
"This kind of arrangement will continue with the aim of achieving just and complete and lasting peace, which spreads the stability which Lebanon and Syria enjoy over other countries of the region," Lahoud said in a statement.
The UN Security Council passed a US-drafted resolution warning against foreign interference in Lebanon and calling for all foreign troops to withdraw, though it did not mention Syria by name. Washington has been more outspoken against Damascus.
Syria has some 17,000 troops in Lebanon and a tight grip on the presidency and other institutions. Many Lebanese were angry that parliament changed the constitution to extend Lahoud's term, but angry too that the UN tried to interfere.