U.S. President assisstant Philip Gordon expressed the United States’ grave concern about the situation in Syria and condemned continued shelling of Lebanese territory from neighboring country.

Special Assistant to U.S. President Barack Obama and White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and Gulf Region Philip Gordon expressed on Tuesday the United States’ grave concern about the situation in Syria and condemned continued shelling of Lebanese territory from neighboring country.

He made his remarks during a visit to Lebanon during which he met with senior officials, including President Michel Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, and not to mention March 14 politicians.

Gordon reiterated the United States’ support for the principles of the Baabda Declaration and Lebanon’s dissociation policy, calling on all parties in the region “to avoid any actions that would exacerbate the crisis in Syria, increase the propensity for spillover violence, and negatively affect civilian populations.”

He conveyed the United States’ “appreciation for ongoing efforts by responsible Lebanese leaders to preserve Lebanon’s stability and to fulfill its international obligations.”

He also expressed U.S. support for the extraordinary efforts exerted by Lebanese leaders to adhere to Lebanon’s legal and constitutional framework to hold timely parliamentary elections.

In his meetings, Gordon commended the Lebanese government for hosting over the Syrian refugees, and announced an additional $10 million in assistance for Lebanese host communities and Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Lebanon has adopted a self-distancing policy towards what’s happening in Syria since the crisis erupted more than two years ago.

Syria was hit by a violent unrest since mid-March 2011, where the Syrian government accuses foreign actors of orchestrating the conflict, by supporting the militant opposition groups with arms and money.