-
(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Washington
09 November 2007
Lebanon has postponed1 presidential elections twice in the past two months. A group of Christian2 bishops3 in Lebanon worries that the election deadlock4 is affecting national unity5. As VOA's Carolyn Presutti reports, the United States is also concerned.
In about two weeks, an election is supposed to take place here in Lebanon. President Emil Lahoud's term ends on November 24.
But Lebanon is a nation beset6 with conflict, past and present: bombings, street violence, political assassination7.
One Beirut resident expressed hope. "We hope the international tribunal will put a stop to political assassinations," he said.
Now, Lebanon's Maronite Christian bishops are warning that the nation's political deadlock threatens national unity. The bishops say Lebanon faces a crisis because the ruling coalition8 and the opposition9 refuse to compromise.
Lebanon's parliament has twice postponed a vote on a new president in order to give rival factions10 more time to agree on a candidate.
The U.S. and its allies have long faulted Syria for what they say is its constant interference in neighboring Lebanon. Syria rejects that.
Wednesday, President Bush held a joint11 news conference with the French president and said he was comfortable with France's effort to break Lebanon's political deadlock by engaging in direct talks with Syria. He said he hopes democracy prevails.
"I want Lebanon to serve as an example for the Palestinians, to show them what's possible. I believe in a two-state solution. I believe there ought to be two states living side by side in peace," said President Bush.
Assistant Secretary of State David Welch spoke12 in a similar vein13 in an appearance before a House subcommittee. "[The Lebanese] need a president who's committed to defending their security and sovereignty," said Welch. "Such a person doesn't need to be against anyone, but should be for Lebanon."
Welch said the U.S. will not endorse14 any specific candidate, but will push for free, fair and on-time presidential elections.
1 postponed | |
vt.& vi.延期,缓办,(使)延迟vt.把…放在次要地位;[语]把…放在后面(或句尾)vi.(疟疾等)延缓发作(或复发) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 bishops | |
(基督教某些教派管辖大教区的)主教( bishop的名词复数 ); (国际象棋的)象 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 deadlock | |
n.僵局,僵持 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 unity | |
n.团结,联合,统一;和睦,协调 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 beset | |
v.镶嵌;困扰,包围 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 assassination | |
n.暗杀;暗杀事件 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 coalition | |
n.结合体,同盟,结合,联合 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 opposition | |
n.反对,敌对 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 factions | |
组织中的小派别,派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 joint | |
adj.联合的,共同的;n.关节,接合处;v.连接,贴合 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 vein | |
n.血管,静脉;叶脉,纹理;情绪;vt.使成脉络 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 endorse | |
vt.(支票、汇票等)背书,背署;批注;同意 | |
参考例句: |
|
|