In a flurry of diplomatic activity, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffery Feltman stopped in Beirut this week on a visit that coincided with an Iranian delegation arriving from Tehran. Both political delegations, the latter convened the Higher Iranian-Lebanese Joint Cooperation Committee, led by Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi, aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries, while the U.S. stressed its support for Lebanon's independence and sovereignty.

The timing of the Iranian delegation is most alarming. With conflict raging in neighboring Syria, a pro-Hezbollah and pro-Syrian government and elections around the corner, the visit demonstrated Iran's attempt to consolidate its influence in the Levant. The delegation, which included a number of Iranian ministers, met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, and a number of cabinet ministers. They discussed strengthening bilateral agreements ties across a wide range of sectors, including energy, health, and education. Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Ali Nikzad reiterated Iran's readiness to help Lebanon build power plants and dams.

The March 14 alliance was critical of the visit and the meeting of the Higher Committee, calling it "embarrassing" for Lebanon. Hezbollah, for its part, and Rahimi, both said that the U.S. visit was aimed at sowing strife in Lebanon and distancing Lebanon from Iran.

The timing and size of the delegation sent a sharp message to Lebanon's regional and internationall allies. U.S. diplomats stepped up and expressed the Administration's commitment to Lebanon. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called President Michael Suleiman and assured him of American commitment to Lebanon's independence and the respect for human rights, including minority rights. A few days later, Feltman reiterated, in Beirut, his Administration's "steadfast support" for democratic governments in the Arab world.

The U.S. Administration is increasingly concerned with the instability in the region, wary of spillovers that may destabilize Lebanon's northern or southern borders. Feltman and U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly met with most Lebanese political figures, called for tighter control of the border with Syria and urged officials to enforce tight scrutiny on their banking system and crack down on transactions involving Damascus and Tehran that may violate international sanctions.

U.S. Congressman Joseph Lieberman also completed a visit to Lebanon, where he visited the border town of Wadi Khaled and spoke with local officials on ways to allow convoys carrying UN monitors to enter Homs. Lieberman, a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, urged Lebanon to help the Syrian opposition and offer additional assistance to Syrian refugees fleeing their country.

Since the formation of the Mikati-led government in early 2011, the Lebanese government has continued to improve its relationship with Iran. Most recently, the two signed a $50 million memorandum of understanding increasing cooperation in the energy sector. In this week's meetings, Lebanese Economy Minister said that Lebanon is mulling a free trade agreement with Iran.

With elections around the corner and a neighboring conflict with no end on the horizon, Lebanon appears at the forefront of the battle for regional control. Political and sectarian tensions have become more pronounced, as groups continue to clash over the conflict in Syria and Lebanon's position in the region. It is in this context that the visit of the two delegations must be viewed. The overlap of the two delegations highlights the schism that has characterized Lebanese politics since 2005, but it has arguably never been as sharp as it is today. Washington has to remain steadfast in its support of Lebanese stability and the institution of the state.