AL chief resumes efforts to resolve Lebanese crisis

By Xinhua

Beirut : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa arrived in Beirut on Thursday to resume efforts to nudge Lebanese leaders to reach an agreement on electing Army Commander Michel Suleiman as president.


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Shortly after his arrival, Moussa met with Michel Suleiman and Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the official National News Agency reported.

He is expected to meet Prime Minister Fouad Seniora and other Lebanese politicians in an attempt to bring together leaders of the ruling majority and the opposition to agree on implementing an Arab initiative which was endorsed in Cairo on Jan. 6.

The three-point plan aimed at immediately electing Michel Suleiman as Lebanese President and proceeding to forming a government of national unity and drafting a new electoral law.

Lebanon is currently facing the most serious political deadlock since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war. For the first time in its history, the presidential seat has been vacant since Nov. 24of 2007 when former President Emile Lahoud stepped down.

Lebanon’s rival camps have agreed in principle to elect Suleiman as a new president, but are still divided on how to amend the constitution to allow for his election, as well as on the shape and policies of the future government.

A long-awaited parliamentary session to elect president has been postponed for 13 times to Feb. 11.

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