Tributes to former President Jimmy Carter are pouring in from his small hometown of Plains, Georgia, and around the world.

A senior U.S. official has warned that Lebanese politicians who continue to block reforms in the crisis-hit country could face punitive actions by Washington and its allies.

BEIRUT Lebanons foreign minister summoned the U.S. ambassador to Beirut over comments she made recently in which she criticized the militant Hezbollah group, state-run National News Agency reported Sunday. The agency gave no further details other than saying that the meeting between Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti and Ambassador Dorothy Shea is scheduled for Monday afternoon. The judges ruling came a day after Shea told Saudi-owned TV station Al-Hadath that Washington has great concerns over Hezbollahs role in the government. Shea added that the official told her that the government will take the necessary step to reverse it.The court decision reflected the rising tension between the U.S. and Hezbollah. It is designated by Washington as a terrorist group and the U.S. has continued to expand sanctions against the group.