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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Rice makes surprise visit to Beirut |
| 2008-06-16 |
| (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice arrived in Lebanon Monday in a surprise visit to show support to newly-elected President Michel Suleiman and efforts to form a new government, local LBC TV reported. Rice is due to meet also with Prime Minister Fouad Seniora, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and majority leader MP Saad Hariri, said the report. "I am going to Lebanon to express the U.S. support for Lebanon democracy and sovereignty," Rice was quoted as saying on her way to Beirut from Tel Aviv. She said that her visit aims at discussing how the United States can support Lebanese institutions including the armed forces, the economy and civil society. The surprise visit came under tight security amid a political deadlock in Lebanon regarding the formation of a new cabinet which has been delayed for third weeks so far. The last visit by Rice to Lebanon was in July 2006, during the 33 days of war between Israel and Hezbollah. |
| Posted by:Fred |