WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush deplored recent violence in Lebanon and warned that Iran, Syria and Hezbollah must be "called to account" for trying to destabilize that country.

"While Lebanon's friends seek to help the Lebanese government build a free, sovereign, and prosperous country, Syria, Iran and Hezbollah are working to destabilize Lebanese society," Bush said in a statement.

"All those who seek a peaceful, constitutional solution to the crisis in Lebanon deserve the support of the international community, but those responsible for creating chaos must be called to account," he said.

Four people were killed and 152 injured Thursday in clashes between Sunni and Shiite Muslims apparently triggered by a row in a cafeteria at Beirut's Arab University between government supporters and opponents.

"I am deeply disappointed by the recent violence and bloodshed on the streets of Lebanon. It is all the more troubling that the violence occurred while Lebanon's legitimate leaders and friends were gathered together in Paris to help secure a peaceful and prosperous future for the country," said Bush.

The United States has pledged 770 million dollars in new aid to Lebanon as part of a major international drive to rebuild the country and bolster the embattled pro-Western government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.

"This is a strong symbol of the American people's support for and commitment to the future of Lebanon," said Bush, who had tough words for Damascus, Tehran, and the militant Shiite movement Hezbollah.

Bush said they sought to derail the creation of the international tribunal to try suspects in the murder of Lebanon's former premier Rafiq Hariri and stall Hezbollah's disarmament as called for by the UN Security Council.

"Their goals are clear. They foment violence in order to prevent the establishment of a Special Tribunal in response to former Prime Minister Hariri's assassination, to prevent full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions calling for Hezbollah's disarmament, and to bring down Lebanon's democratically elected government," said Bush. -AFP