国际英语新闻：U.S. vice president to visit Lebanon

WASHINGTON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will visit Beirut on Friday to show support for an "independent and sovereign Lebanon," the White House announced on Thursday.

    The U.S. vice president will meet with Lebanon's President Michel Sleiman, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, said the White House in a statement.

    Biden's visit, which comes less than a month after a similar visit by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is aimed at showing support for Siniora's government ahead of the upcoming Lebanese elections on June 7.

    The Obama administration is deeply concerned that the Shiite group of Hizbullah, which is backed by Iran and Syria, would win the elections.

    U.S. officials said the administration would review aid to Lebanon, including military assistance, depending on the composition of the next government.