BEIRUT: Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman will visit Beirut next week to discuss the Syrian uprising, funding for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and Israel’s security, reported the Lebanese media.

The visit of Feltman, who served as ambassador to Lebanon from 2004 to 2008, comes following months of criticism from the U.S. State Department over Lebanon’s failure to agree on a plan to fund the international tribunal, and repeated warnings from the country over abiding by sanctions on Syria.

Earlier this month, Feltman told Al-Arabiya TV station, “We expect Lebanon to completely implement its international commitments because the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) was established upon Lebanon’s request.”

Now that Lebanon has paid its share of the funding of the tribunal for 2011, the main issue he will tackle on his upcoming visit will likely be the effect of the Syrian uprising on Lebanon.

With the United States and its allies tightening economic sanctions on Syria, the international community is keeping a closer eye on Lebanon, which has traditionally been a refuge for Syrian money laundering. Today, Lebanese banks are under more pressure than ever to scrutinize Syrian accounts.

Treasury Assistant Secretary for Terrorism Financing Daniel Glaser visited Lebanon in November and warned that Lebanon must work to avoid attempts by Syria to use its financial sector as a means to evade sanctions.

In 2006, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah dubbed Fouad Siniora’s government the “Feltman government” – an epithet that became widely used by members of the March 8 coalition.

Feltman is also known for his insight on the Middle East, and sharply written analysis in his diplomatic cables.