US Deputy Secretary of State, William Burns, started his formal visit to Beirut on Monday. He met with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and resigned prime minister Nagib Mikati. The officials discussed bilateral relations between United States and Lebanon. Burns affirmed that the US administration will increase its assistance to Lebanon. He is scheduled to meet with Speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri later this week. The US official expressed support for President Sleiman\'s role in protecting internal stability. He praised the \"self-distancing policy\" adopted by the Lebanese government in not interfering in internal affairs of other countries. The government officials also discussed the current situation in the region, especially developments witnessed in Syria. They stressed the need to find a peaceful solution for the Syrian crisis, expressing refusal for foreign interference in the current Syrian conflict. Burns offered America\'s readiness to provide support in dealing with the increasing number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.