The Hill News

President Obama met Wednesday with the prime minister of Lebanon, amid reports from The Associated Press that the country's unity government had collapsed.

Obama met with Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the Oval Office this morning amid political strife back in Lebanon, where politicians in the Hezbollah Party have reportedly backed out of the government. 

"The efforts by the Hizballah-led coalition to collapse the Lebanese government only demonstrate their own fear and determination to block the government’s ability to conduct its business and advance the aspirations of all of the Lebanese people," the White House said in a readout of the meeting.

The Lebanese government has been plagued by political strife over indictments expected to be handed down by a U.N. tribunal probing! the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the father of the current prime minister.

The tribunal is expected to name members of Hezbollah in connection with the assassination, according to The Associated Press, which could spur sectarian strife in Lebanon. The country formed a unity government in 2008 sharing power between parties aimed at ending political violence.

"I hope that the people of Lebanon realize that the tribunal, which is a creation of the United Nations Security Council and the Government of Lebanon, is intended to end impunity for political assassination," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday.

Obama and Hariri also appeared to double-down! on the work of the tribunal during their meeting.

! "During their meeting, the President stressed the importance of the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon as a means to help end the era of political assassinations with impunity in Lebanon," said the White House readout.

Updated 12:27 p.m.