Lebanon's opposition, led by the Syrian-backed Hezbollah, called on Monday for early parliamentary elections after the anti-Syrian majority
coalition refused to agree to its demand for a national unity government.

In a statement, the opposition said it was now demanding "first of all ... a new law for parliamentary elections and secondly ... early parliamentary elections."

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Opposition supporters have been holding a round-the-clock protest in central Beirut since December 1, threatening to topple the government unless it gives the opposition effective veto power in cabinet.

Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, who is backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia, has so far refused to give in, saying the opposition wanted to beef up the influence of Syria and Iran in Lebanon.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa has been mediating in the Lebanese crisis but he made little progress during a visit to Beirut last week.

He is scheduled to return to the Lebanese capital on Tuesday, with political sources holding out little hope for a breakthrough.

"We will cooperate as much as possible with Amr Moussa and wish him luck," opposition leader and former prime minister Omar Karami said in a statement after the opposition announced its demand for a new election law followed by elections.

"But if the governing faction continues with its maneuvres ... and throwing spanners in the works -- naturally the situation cannot stay as it is. Consequently, there is no escape from a studied escalation," Karami said.