BEIRUT: U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly stressed Tuesday the importance her government placed on the Lebanese Army to protect members of the Syrian opposition living in Lebanon.

“Ambassador Connelly emphasized the importance the United States places on the Lebanese Armed Forces’ role in protecting members of the Syrian opposition residing in Lebanon, as one of Lebanon’s international legal obligations that also include support and funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon [STL],” a statement from the U.S. Embassy said Tuesday.

The statement was issued after Connelly met with Lebanon’s Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn Tuesday.

The STL was established in 2007 to try those involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Four members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah have been indicted in the case but remain at large. The resistance group denies involvement in the 2005 assassination and describes the court as part of a plot to target it and sow strife in the country.

During the meeting between Connelly and Ghosn, the U.S. envoy conveyed her government’s support for and assistance to the Lebanese Army, while stressing the need for Lebanon and its military to fulfill their commitment to Security Council Resolution 1701.

“Ambassador Connelly reiterated the U.S. government’s support for and assistance to the Lebanese [Army] as well as the U.S. and international community’s expectations that Lebanon and the Lebanese [Army] fulfill their commitment to implement UNSCR 1701 and continue to work to improve Lebanon’s border security,” the statement said.

The two also discussed the upcoming visit of Lebanese Army commander Gen. Jean Kahwaji to the United States at the invitation of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the statement said, adding that this reflected a strong partnership between the U.S. and Lebanon “and a demonstration of U.S. support for the Lebanese [Army].”