US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale was in Beirut on Sunday for talks with senior Lebanese officials on a full range of bilateral and regional issues, including Hezbollah’s role. Hale, who arrived in Beirut on Saturday, has returned to Lebanon in his new role to reaffirm strong US support for the Lebanese state, including its legitimate security institutions, as it continues to cope with significant challenges, the US Embassy said in a statement. “Hale will also underscore US concerns about Hezbollah’s destabilizing activities in Lebanon and the region, including the recent discovery of Hezbollah’s cross-border tunnels, which defy UN Security Council Resolution 1701, jeopardize the security of the Lebanese people, and undermine the legitimacy of Lebanon’s state institutions,” it said. "Hale has enduring ties with Lebanon and the Lebanese people after serving at the US Embassy in Beirut as a political officer, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Ambassador over the span of 27 years," the statement added.