WASHINGTON – President Bush said Tuesday he suspects Syria is trying to reassert influence in Lebanon more than a year after Damascus ended what had effectively been a long-term military occupation of its smaller, weaker neighbor.

“It’s in our interest that Syria stay out of Lebanon and this government survive,” Bush said in a reference to the young, Lebanese government.

Bush spoke at the White House after briefing members of Congress about his recent trip to Russia for an economic summit that was overshadowed by fighting between Israel and the Islamic militant group Hezbollah.

He said there are suspicions that instability caused by Hezbollah’s attacks will cause some in Lebanon to invite Syria to return to the nation.

“Listen, Syria is trying to get back into Lebanon, it looks like to me,” said Bush.

“In order to be able to deal with this crisis, the world must deal with Hezbollah, with Syria and to continue to work to isolate Iran,” Bush said.

The president reiterated his stance that Israel should be free to respond to attacks, but warned against triggering the collapse of the Lebanese government run by Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.

“We have made it very clear that Israel should be allowed to defend herself,” Bush said.