Doha to host Lebanon talks

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“We declare an agreement sponsored by the Arab League to deal with the Lebanese crisis,” said Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem, who led the Arab mediators. “The parties pledge to refrain from returning to the use of weapons or violence to realise political gains.” The political talks in Qatar, which start today, would continue “until agreement is reached,” he said.

 

The talks in Qatar will tackle how to share power in the cabinet and the details of a new parliamentary election law. The row has paralysed much of government and left Lebanon with no president since November.

 

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem said top leaders would attend the talks in Doha but political sources said Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah would not attend because of security concerns. Hezbollah are set to be represented by a senior official, most likely the head of the group’s parliamentary bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, the sources said. Any deal would result in army commander General Michel Suleiman being elected president. As Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem announced the deal, mechanical diggers on the airport road removed roadblocks erected by Hezbollah supporters last week as part of a protest campaign against the government.

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