US official urges Beirut to put people's interest first

BEIRUT

Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs David Satterfield has called on Lebanon’s new government to adopt policies that benefit the Lebanese people rather than foreign states -- an apparent reference to Iran.

Satterfield made the appeal after meeting Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil at the ministry's headquarters in capital Beirut.

Lebanon’s recently formed government is now making “sensitive decisions” regarding the country's economic and security situation, Satterfield said, going on to stress Washington’s continued support for Beirut.

Satterfield arrived in Lebanon on Monday evening for a previously-unannounced two-day visit -- the first by a top-level U.S. official since the new government was unveiled in January.

During his visit, Satterfield is expected to meet with President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri, along with a number of other top Lebanese officials.

Writing by Ali H. M.Abo Rezeg