Clinton visits Beirut ahead of key vote

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has met with Lebanon’s president on a stop in Beirut ahead of a critical election that could see a pro-US government ousted by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and its allies.

Clinton arrived unannounced in Lebanon Sunday, a day after a similarly secret trip to Iraq to show support for the country’s fragile democracy before the June 7 vote. Hezbollah is gaining strength and some fear turmoil if it wins enough votes to play a dominant role in a coalition.

In a statement, Clinton said the “people of Lebanon must be able to choose their own representatives in open and fair elections without the specter of violence or intimidation and free of outside interference.”

She said the US supports the Lebanese government’s efforts to achieve that goal.

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