WASHINGTON (Reuters):

The United States yesterday said it believed Syria, Lebanon and Hezbollah militants were trying to destabilise the Lebanese government.

White House spokesman Tony Snow said in a statement Washing-ton was "increasingly concerned by mounting evidence that the Syrian and Iranian governments, Hez-bollah and their Lebanese allies are preparing plans to topple Lebanon's democratically elected government led by Prime Minister (Fouad) Siniora."

Snow added that the United States believed one of Syria's aims was to prevent the Lebanese government from approving a law to set up a tribunal to try those accused of involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

"Any such effort to sideline the tribunal will fail, however, for the international community can proceed with establishing it no matter what happens internally in Lebanon," Snow said.