The United States has ordered its warship USS Cole to sail to a position near the Lebanese coast of the Mediterranean Sea as a "show of support" for the majority anti-Syrian government, which faces a threat of civil unrest. Lebanon has faced a political crisis for more than a year as Hizbullah and pro-Syrian factions have tried to stake out a stronger position in the Cabinet that would give them the power to veto major policy measures.

The crisis has worsened since November, when lack of agreement forced an indefinite postponement of presidential elections. The Arab League has been trying to solve the crisis but so far has failed to make headway.

Clashes between anti- and pro-Syrian forces broke out earlier this month, injuring at least 20 people and threatening to bring the country to a civil war.