Top US official in Beirut

A top US official met Wednesday in Beirut with Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss the political and security situation in Lebanon as well as regional issues, including the revolt in neighbouring Syria. The US embassy said Jeffrey Feltman, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, had also delivered a letter from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcoming Lebanon's decision to continue funding a tribunal probing the 2005 assassination of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri. "Ambassador Feltman discussed regional developments with the prime minister, consulting with him on a range of issues, including the situation in Syria," said an embassy statement. "Ambassador Feltman shared the grave concerns of the United States for the people of Syria and our desire to see the Syrian government end its brutality against them immediately," it added. "He highlighted US concerns that developments in Syria not contribute to instability in Lebanon or in other countries in the region." There are concerns that the revolt in Syria could spill over into Lebanon, where the government is dominated by the pro-Syrian Hezbollah.