Powell Appeals to Syria and Lebanon for a Crackdown

At a joint appearance in Beirut, he got a stiff lecture from the Lebanese foreign minister, Mahmoud Hammoud.

"Developments in the region cannot be isolated from the Israeli escalation in the Palestinian territories," Mr. Hammoud said, "which means that the crisis in the region should not only be seen from the angle of developments in the occupied territories but also as a need to seek a comprehensive and just peace that would provide a solution and guarantee the rights of all parties in the conflict." .

In a strongly worded, anti-Israeli statement, Mr. Hammoud suggested that there was a need for more American "objectivity" about the attacks, which he described as resistance to Israeli occupation.

"Israel is responsible for the current escalation because it blocked all efforts seeking peace and has rejected all international resolutions," he said.

Secretary Powell, clearly uncomfortable as he heard the long statement, went out of his way to take questions from reporters at a session at which they were supposed to have been banned.

"I heard the strong criticism," he said, adding, "My goal is to try to find a way forward and we are working very hard to do just that."