Iran and Saudi Arabia were seeking to establish a face-to-face meeting between Prime Minister Fouad Saniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in a fresh bid to settle the ongoing political impasse which has sparked fears of a return to civil war after bloody clashes left eight people killed.
The daily An Nahar on Sunday, citing ministerial sources, said Iranian and Saudi efforts were underway to bring together Saniora and Berri who have not met since November when six Opposition ministers quit the government, triggering the current crisis.
The sources said that the meeting-to-be aims at reactivating Parliament through an extraordinary session or at re-launching national dialogue.
However, the sources said the restart of roundtable talks is more likely achievable than an extraordinary Parliament session which requires President Emile Lahoud's approval.
Political sources also said Berri had engaged in telephone talks with Saniora and Druze leader Walid Jumblat, a key government supporter.
Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon, Abdul Aziz Khoja, met separately Saturday with Saniora and Berri.
Berri told reporters after the one-hour meeting with Khoja that he was "more optimistic" toward finding an end to the political stalemate.
Khoja called on all Lebanese to resolve the crisis on their own.
"We want our brethren Lebanese to get together. It's about time now that the situation has reached its peak," Khoja said.
Beirut, 28 Jan 07, 09:10
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