US secretary of state arrives in Beirut

By Mahmut Geldi

BEIRUT (AA) – U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday.

He was received by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri following a brief meeting with Interior Minister Raya al-Hassan.

Pompeo and Berri reportedly discussed U.S. sanctions on Lebanon’s Hezbollah group and continued tensions between Israel and Lebanon.

Berri reportedly told Pompeo that sanctions on Hezbollah -- a political party with a significant parliamentary presence -- would have “adverse effects”.

He also stressed the need to resolve ongoing disputes over the maritime boundary between Lebanon and Israel.

Pompeo also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, with whom he discussed regional issues and bilateral relations.

Later Friday, the U.S. secretary of state was received by President Michel Aoun.

The president expressed his concerns over US sanctions on Hezbollah, and asserted that the party has been representing a denominational group in the country, according to the statement from presidential office.

Lebanon needs more help to let Syrian refugees go back home voluntarily or resettle them into safer areas in Syria as the country has no more strength to bear the burden.