U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is warning of the possibility that Syria could take advantage of a political vacuum in Lebanon.

The secretary said that the U.S. supports Lebanese President Michel Suleiman’s effort to reshuffle the current Hezbollah-dominated Cabinet despite the political turmoil in his country. She called on Lebanese politicians to form a Cabinet that is free from the influence of outside forces.

Protests against the pro-Syria government have persisted in Lebanon, following the assassination of a top Sunni intelligence official on October 19th and bloody clashes between pro- and anti-Syria factions.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati backed by the Shiite group Hezbollah is under pressure to resign. Hezbollah is the largest ally of Syria.