BEIRUT: U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly expressed during a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati Wednesday her government’s hope that the crisis in Syria, now in its tenth month, would not contribute to instability in Lebanon.

“She [Connelly] underscored U.S. concerns that developments in Syria not contribute to instability in Lebanon,” a U.S. Embassy statement said.

During the meeting at the Grand Serail in Beirut Connelly and Mikati discussed the situation in Syria as well the political and security situation in the country.

“She renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon,” the statement added.