BEIRUT, July 22 (Xinhuanet) -- US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is now in Israel, will make a surprise visit to Lebanonon Friday, the Dubai-based al-Arabiyah TV channel reported.

    Rice is expected to arrive in the Lebanese capital Beirut at 12:30 local time (0930 GMT), said al-Arabiyah, without giving further details.

    The top US diplomat, currently on a Mideast tour, has just wrapped up a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the southern Israeli town of Negev.

    She is scheduled to hold talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Saturday.

    Rice's visit to Beirut came as Syria pulled out troops from Lebanon in April, ending a 29-year military presence in the country.

    Earlier this week, a new Lebanese cabinet headed by Prime Minister-designate Fuad Seniora was formed. The government was dominated by anti-Damascus coalitions.

    Washington has led the international pressure to force Syria quit Lebanon after the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in February. Enditem