Arab foreign ministers appeal for Lebanon ceasefire

Enlarge Photo A general view shows the Arab League foreign ministers' emergency meeting to discuss Lebanese issues...

Sun, May 11 09:38 PM

By Mohamed Abdellah

CAIRO (Reuters) - Arab foreign ministers, holding an emergency session on Sunday, appealed for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanon's political rivals to end the country's worst civil strife since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war.

Forty-six people have been killed and 128 wounded in the fighting when Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah briefly seized control of Beirut after the pro-Western government's decision to target its military communications network.

Tensions eased in Beirut on Sunday after Hezbollah fighters pulled back from areas they had seized in the western half of the capital. But violence later erupted in mountains east of Beirut between Hezbollah fighters and supporters of the pro-government Druze leader Walid Jumblatt.

"The council (of Arab foreign ministers) appeals for an immediate halt of bombings and shooting, and the withdrawal of gunmen ... and the enabling of the army to deploy in those areas," the Arab League said in a statement read by Deputy Secretary-General Ahmed Bin Hilli.

Lebanon has been in political deadlock for 18 months over opposition demands for a greater say in government.

The foreign ministers are also expected to call for an immediate deal on forming a Lebanese national unity government and the election of army chief General Michel Suleiman as president, according to an Arab League official.

The ministers, meeting in closed session, would also call for a team of "politicians, intellectuals and neutral parties" to work on drafting a new electoral law after the election of Suleiman, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem, whose country is a main ally of Hezbollah, was not present at the meeting. Syria's delegation was chaired by its ambassador to the Arab League.

Syria, which was forced to withdraw troops from Lebanon after the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, would not favour a meeting that is likely to condemn the actions of Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt, both supporters of the Lebanese government, had called the meeting over the crisis.

"Maybe there are different views, and this is the reason for calling to hold an Arab foreign ministers meeting to discuss all the elements put forth to exit this crisis," Hesham Youssef, chief of staff for League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, said.

In remarks carried by Egyptian state news agency MENA, Youssef said that the Arab League wanted a "formula to ensure the integrity of the Lebanese people and the safety and security of Lebanon".

(Additional reporting by Aziz El-Kaissouni)

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