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BEIRUT, Aug. 16-- Amid recent increased pressure against Hezbollah and its financial activities in Lebanon and abroad, the United States is expected to have exerted pressure on Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri during his visit to Washington this week, analysts said. "The U.S. will make it clear to Hariri that the Lebanese government should be strong enough to reduce Hezbollah's influence by not implementing all decisions taken by the party," Rajeh Khoury, a political analyst, told Xinhua. "Hezbollah is active in the government and the parliament and this is what concerns the U.S.," Khoury said. "The United States does not want the Lebanese government to go into any political directions that contradict U.S. policies in the region," Khoury added. Samir Atallah, also a political analyst, believes Washington will convey a message to Hariri that his weakness in facing Hezbollah will not be tolerated anymore. Atallah argued that the United States is helping Hariri by imposing sanctions against Iran to weaken Tehran and its proxies in the region, namely Hezbollah. "These sanctions, in America's views, should make Hariri stronger," he said. Hezbollah's officials and its allies have always been criticizing the United States for interfering in Lebanon's internal affairs. Hariri started earlier this week a visit to the United States to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a number of U.S. officials to discuss the situation in Lebanon and bilateral ties between the two countries, said a statement by Hariri's office on Monday. | 
