U.S. Concerned over Wadi Khaled Shelling, Urges Syrian Respect for Lebanese Sovereignty

U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly voiced concern on Monday over the cross-border shelling into northern Lebanon that left two Lebanese and one Syrian refugee dead.

Connelly “voiced U.S. government concern over recent reports of cross-border shelling into northern Lebanon and expressed her condolences for the deaths of Lebanese civilians,” the U.S. embassy said in a statement.

Her remarks were made during a meeting with President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace.

“She called on the Syrian government to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon” and “underscored that the U.S. remains concerned that developments in Syria not contribute to instability in Lebanon.”

The deaths occurred on Saturday when shells hit several Lebanese towns in the northern area of Wadi Khaled.

The statement also said that Suleiman and the ambassador discussed the political situation in Lebanon and regional developments.