US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Lebanon under tight security today to show support for a government working to shake loose the influence of its former political master Syria.
"The sole purpose of the trip is to express support for the Lebanese people and the Lebanese government as they continue to try to recover fully their sovereignty," Ms Rice told reporters as she flew into Beirut from Saudi Arabia.
Her visit comes as political tension is rising in Lebanon where the majority anti-Syrian coalition has launched a campaign to unseat President Emile Lahoud, a close ally to Damascus.
In a snub, Ms Rice will avoid meeting Lahoud and suggested he should resign because of his links to the past when as recently as a year ago Lebanon was effectively run from Damascus.
"They need a presidency that looks forward not back and that defends Lebanese sovereignty but it is a decision that they will have to make," Ms Rice said.
Due to security fears in a country where several anti-Syrian figures have been killed in recent months, Ms Rice did not announce her trip before leaving earlier today from Saudi Arabia.
Hundreds of Lebanese troops and police patrolled the streets as Ms Rice's heavily guarded motorcade drove in Beirut. US embassy vans repeatedly swerved, changing position to ensure her vehicle was always boxed in to help shield it from any attack.