Lebanese government, opposition head for talks

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Leaders of Lebanon's U.S.-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition went to Qatar Friday for the highest-level talks since the country's political crisis began 18 months ago.

The talks on forming a national unity government and electing a president were agreed under a deal between feuding factions to end the worst violence since the country's 1975-1990 civil war. The two sides will begin negotiating on Saturday.

(enlarge photo) Samir Geagea, leader of the right wing Lebanese Forces (LF) political party talks to the media, prior to departing to Qatar for talks, at Beirut International airport, Lebanon, Friday, May 16, 2008. Feuding Lebanese factions agreed to hold political talks in Qatar on Friday that will lead to the election of Lebanon's army chief, Gen. Michel Suleiman, as a compromise president, said Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, who headed an Arab League team that mediated the agreement. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

A political standoff has paralyzed the country and left it without a president since Emil Lahoud's term ended last November.

A week ago, the standoff dissolved into violence when the government passed measures to rein in Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Hezbollah fighters overran neighborhoods of west Beirut and clashes left 66 people dead and over 200 wounded.

"We are going to Doha ... to return, God willing, with an agreement that allows us as Lebanese to look forward, while benefiting from the lessons and bitter experiences of the past," state media quoted Prime Minister Fuad Saniora as saying before leaving Beirut for the tiny Gulf nation of Qatar, which is hosting the talks.

The government delegation is headed by Saniora, who left with parliament majority leader Saad Hariri on Hariri's private plane, separately from the other leaders, Lebanese TV reported.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani welcomed the Lebanese factions late Friday, saying: "We all hope you will agree and prevent further clashes that threaten your country."

Under a deal brokered by Arab League mediators, the talks in Doha would lead to the election of compromise candidate Michel Suleiman, the army chief, as Lebanese president.

They also will focus on the formation of a national unity government and a new election law, along with ways to guarantee the "security of the state and the citizens" — a reference to military activities of the Hezbollah and other armed groups.

The opposition will be represented by pro-Syrian parliament speaker Nabih Berri and three Hezbollah lawmakers.

Last week's violence eventually forced the government to cave in and revoke the measures against Hezbollah. It was a major victory for the militant group and a sign that Hezbollah had gained the upper hand in the power struggle with the government.

Doha talks are also expected to lead to the opposition to dismantle a tent encampment in front of the government compound in Beirut, set up after Hezbollah ministers left the Cabinet in November 2006, demanding more power and a veto over government decisions.

The United States has accused Iran and Syria of seeking to undermine Saniora's government and regional stability, while Hezbollah accuses the prime minister and his allies in the anti-Syrian coalition of toeing the pro-American line.

President Bush and Saudi King Abdullah shared their concerns over the Lebanon violence during a meeting Friday in Riyadh, Bush's national security adviser Stephen Hadley told reporters.

The two were concerned the Lebanon events would "embolden Iran," Hadley said. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia, "are of one mind in condemning what Hezbollah did in bringing pressure on the duly elected government of Lebanon," he added.

"Iran, working directly and through Syria, was very much behind what happened in Lebanon over the weekend and it is another example of Iran taking actions that are contrary to the interests of those in the Middle East who want peace, security and freedom," Hadley said.

The recent violence has exhausted the Lebanese. A sit-in of dozens of those disabled in the civil war staged along the road to Beirut's airport Friday warned the leaders ahead of the Doha talks. "If you don't agree, don't come back!!!" read a sign, in English and Arabic.

"We are fed up with wars and we want peace," said Marwan al-Baset, 45, one of the protesters.

"The politicians going to Qatar are the ones who have destroyed the country," said Saad-Eddin Qameira, a 75-year-old Sunni who runs a spare car parts store in downtown Beirut. "Do you expect them to save it?"

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Associated Press Writer Jennifer Loven contributed to this report from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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