Rice makes surprise visit to Beirut

She said her visit was also aimed at discussing “how the United States can support the institutions of a free Lebanon including the work that we do to support the armed forces, to support the Lebanese economy and the Lebanese civil society”.

 

 

Lebanon is in the midst of forming a national unity government, headed by Fouad Siniora, the prime minister, and Michel Sleiman, the president.

 

A deal brokered in Qatar last month, after deadly street clashes broke out in Beirut between pro-Hezbollah fighters and government supporters, brought an end to 18 months of political paralysis.

 

The deal, reached with the help of Arab mediators, allowed Lebanon’s parliament to elect a new president.

 

It also gave Hezbollah veto power over the Beirut government in the compromise deal, strengthening the movement politically.

 

The US, which considers Hezbollah a “terrorist” organisation, would have preferred the movement not gain greater power, but sees the deal as a necessary step for stability in Lebanon.