Report: Annan to Visit Lebanon 'Soon'

U.N.-Arab League Joint Special Envoy for Syria Kofi Annan on Tuesday announced that he will visit Lebanon soon.

Al-Manar television reported the news, without elaborating.

Annan’s visit will take place amid fears voiced by several countries that the violence in Syria is spilling into Lebanon.

Meanwhile, France's new foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, said "no state is willing to consider today a ground operation" in Syria. "The risks of regional extension would be formidable, especially in Lebanon," he added.

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon warned Friday that the threat of the conflict in Syria might spill over into Lebanon amid the rise in security incidents in the country.

“We are very much worried about this kind of spillover effect,” Ban reiterated in an interview with CNN on Thursday night.

The tense political situation in Lebanon affected recently the security situation in the country as several areas across Lebanon witnessed deadly clashes.

“We are entering into a pivotal moment… We have to prevent this,” Ban said.

On May 21, the secretary-general appealed for calm in Lebanon following clashes involving pro- and anti-Syrian groups, which have sparked fear of a widening conflict.

He called on all parties to make every effort to restore calm.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday expressed concern that interminable unrest in Syria is "contributing to instability" in Lebanon.

"The United States is concerned that developments in Syria are contributing to instability in Lebanon," Clinton said in a statement.

"We encourage all parties to exercise restraint and demonstrate respect for Lebanon's security and stability," the chief U.S. diplomat added.

Clinton also renewed calls on the Assad regime to implement Annan’s six-point peace plan.

"The regime needs to institute a peaceful, democratic transition now. We remain committed to a unified, stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon," Clinton added.

In addition to the clashes in Tripoli and Beirut, 11 Lebanese Shiite pilgrims were abducted in northern Syria as they made their way home from a pilgrimage in Iran, which is Assad's key ally.

The rebel Free Syrian Army has been accused of kidnapping them, claims it has denied.