White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Wednesday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 's visit to Lebanon is "provocative."

"He (Ahmadinejad) continues his provocative ways even as he leaves his country in economic distress and turmoil," Gibbs said at a regular briefing.

Gibbs said the visit suggested that Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group in Lebanon, valued "its allegiance to Iran over its allegiance to Lebanon."

Ahmadinejad, who is on his first to Lebanon since he took office, was heavily criticized by the United States and Israel, which said his visit undermined Lebanon's sovereignty.

However, Ahmadinejad on Wednesday rejected such accusations.

"We support a united, developed and strong Lebanon," Ahmadinejad said at a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman.