BEIRUT - US VICE President Joe Biden arrived in Beirut on Friday in a show of support for Lebanese independence two weeks before a crucial vote that could see Islamist group Hezbollah seize the majority in parliament.

Biden, the first sitting US vice president to make an official visit to the tiny Mediterranean country, will meet President Michel Sleiman, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and parliament speaker Nabih Berri.

US AID FOR LEBANON AT RISK US military assistance has totalled more than US$410 million (S$592 million) since 2006 and includes aircraft, tanks, artillery and training. It is unclear to what degree aid would continue under any new government led by a Hezbollah ally. ... more

Even before Biden landed in Beirut, Hezbollah blasted his visit as a clear bid by Washington to meddle in Lebanese affairs just ahead of the June 7 legislative election that the militant group may win.

'It appears that this visit is part of a US bid to supervise the electoral campaign of a Lebanese party which feels threatened politically... in light of the expected outcome of the legislative vote,' Fadlallah told AFP.

He was making a clear reference to the current US-backed majority in parliament which stands to lose in the upcoming vote to a Hezbollah-led coalition backed by Syria and Iran.

'We call on all Lebanese, regardless of their political views, to rise up against such meddling which represents a flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty,' Fadlallah said.

Biden and Sleiman will both make a statement after their meeting, the White House said.

It said the vice president would also join Defence Minister Elias Murr in making an announcement on military aid to Lebanon. -- AFP