US warship positioned off Lebanon (USS Cole)
The United States has ordered a warship into position off the coast of Lebanon.
The USS Cole was sent there amid growing concern about the political impasse in the country, which has not had a president for four months.
The Western-backed governing coalition and the Syrian and Iranian-backed opposition are at loggerheads.
A US official quoted by news agencies said the destroyer’s deployment off the coast was designed as a “show of support… for regional stability”.
The official told Reuters news agency that the US was concerned about the political deadlock in Lebanon, which Washington blames on Syrian interference.
Lebanon’s politicians have repeatedly failed to agree on a president amid months of wrangling between pro-and anti-Syrian factions.
Clashes between supporters of the rival factions have further raised tensions and led several countries to advise their citizens against travelling to Lebanon.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal warned earlier this month that the country was “on the verge of civil war.”
“The United States believes a show of support is important for regional stability. We are very concerned about the situation in Lebanon. It has dragged on very long,” said the unnamed US official.