Obama, Hariri to discuss Syria arms concerns

President Barack Obama is likely to raise US concerns about Syria arming Hezbollah when he meets Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Monday, a US official said Friday. Hariri's first official visit to the US takes place amidst Mideast tensions, US efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and growing momentum toward new Iran sanctions.

Analysts expect Obama to be more encouraging in tone than demanding of results when he meets Hariri, who heads a national unity government that includes Hezbollah - a Shiite Islamist group backed by Syria and Iran and is listed as a terrorist organization by the US. (Reuters)