US:Signalling impatience with Syria, the United States has sent its USS Colewarship off the coast of Lebanon in a "show of support" for regional stability, US officials said yesterday.
A senior Bush administration official said the United States was very concerned about the political deadlock in Lebanon, which Washington blames on Syrian interference, and the US military gesture underlined that worry.
Lebanon's western-backed governing coalition and its Syrian- and Iranian-backed opposition have failed to reach a deal to end the country's political conflict.
"Our sense is that there is increased nervousness, with Hizbullah people making threats and a general sense that this is not going to get resolved," said the senior official.
The United States has increased pressure on Syria in recent weeks, targeting more individuals with sanctions.
The presidential election in Lebanon was postponed again this week to March 11th from February 26th, the 15th such delay, after rival leaders failed to reach a deal.
The deadlock has threatened to degenerate into sectarian violence and continues to poison inter-Arab relations in the run-up to an Arab summit in Syria next month.
A US defence official said the Cole left Malta on Tuesday and was headed toward Lebanon, adding it would not be within visible range of Lebanon but "well over the horizon".