Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has paid a surprise visit to Lebanon. "The United States will never make any deal with Syria that sells out Lebanon and the Lebanese people," the Clinton told reporters after talks in Beirut with Lebanese president Michel Suleiman. The visit came as Lebanon prepares for national elections in six weeks time. Parties affiliated with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah could claim victory, which again could bring Syrian influence on Israel's northern neighbor. During her three-hour visit, Clinton laid a wreath at the grave of murdered prime minister Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated in February 2005. The killing precipitated the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon.