The Daily Star BEIRUT: Prime Minister Saad Hariri Monday began his U.S. visit by meeting several senior U.S. officials and politicians to discuss Lebanese and regional matters ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump later this week. According to a statement from the PM’s media office, Hariri met with Chris Brose, Staff Director at the Senate Armed Services Committee and Matthew Donovan, Policy Director at the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services. Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh as well as advisers to the PM and other Lebanese officials accompanied Hariri to the meeting. During the meeting, Hariri stressed the importance of strong Lebanese-American relations and also passed on his regards to long-serving senator John McCain, who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. “Lebanon is witnessing many challenges but is still stable despite the wars in the region,” Hariri said during the meeting, according to the statement. “It is still an example of moderation in the region that should be preserved … to preserve minorities in the whole region.”