US top diplomat, others meet in Paris to support Lebanese PM

PARIS – Lebanon's prime minister appealed for support for his country from world powers at a summit Friday convened by France to bolster Lebanon's institutions as it emerges from a bizarre political crisis with regional and international implications.

Just before the gathering got underway, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressed America's backing for Lebanon's "sovereignty, stability and independence," while French President Emmanuel Macron called on Mideast countries to refrain from interfering in Lebanese domestic affairs.

Lebanon has in recent years attracted considerable attention as world nations sought to keep the tiny Mediterranean country stable amid a Mideast region swirling in wars and conflict.

Lebanese leaders say their country has earned the support on account of the burden of hosting Syrian refugees—1 million of them, according to the United Nations, or close to a quarter of Lebanon's own population.