WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- Washington announced plans to welcome Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to the White House on May 24 for his first official U.S. visit.
Hariri's visit to Washington comes as Lebanon holds the May rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council, where Washington is pressing for tough new sanctions against Iran.
Washington enjoys a modest relationship with Beirut despite the presence of Hezbollah in the Lebanese government. Washington classifies Iranian-ally Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
"The prime minister's visit is a symbol of the close and historic relationship between Lebanon and the United States," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
The visit also coincides with allegations that Syria transferred long-range Scud missiles to Hezbollah. U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon said they have no evidence to back the claims in their area of responsibility, however.
Washington, which supplies military aid to Lebanon, expressed concern that weapons could wind up in the hands of Hezbollah, the arch foe of Israel.
Gibbs said U.S. President Barack Obama looks forward to discussing a "broad range of mutual goals in support of Lebanon's sovereignty and independence, and regional peace and security" during Hariri's visit.
