By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese rival political leaders agreed to resume “decisive” talks Monday in Beirut aimed at ending the three months old presidential deadlock, local media reported. Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa is hoping to achieve a breakthrough in Monday’s meeting before a parliament session for electing a new president scheduled for Tuesday, local daily Al Akhbar reported.
However, the report took a gloomy view of the efforts, saying “Well informed sources said Arab and international factors are preventing progress in dealing with the Lebanese crisis.” Moussa, who arrived in Beirut Sunday afternoon, sponsored a quartet meeting, gathering opposition Christian leader Gen. Michel Aoun, majority leader MP Saad Hariri and former president Amin Gemayel in the parliament building on Sunday night. A source close to the meeting told another daily An Nahar that Sunday’s meeting “went well,” and the representatives will consult with their allies before meeting again Monday.
During his several missions to Beirut, Moussa has failed so far in convincing the two Lebanese rival blocs to accept an Arab plan which was endorsed in Cairo on Jan. 6.
The three-point plan aimed at immediately electing Lebanese Army Commander General Michel Suleiman as Lebanese President and proceeding to forming a government of national unity and drafting a new electoral law.
Lebanese presidential seat has been vacant since former president Emile Lahoud ended his term on Nov. 24, and the sharply divided Lebanese parliament has delayed the elections for 14 times without a consensus.