Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., January 19, 2008 Shvat 12, 5768 | | Israel Time: 21:54 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Syrian President Assad (R) shakes hands with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa before meeting in Damascus Saturday. (Reuters) Last update - 20:28 19/01/2008 Arab League head discusses crisis in Lebanon with Syria's Assad By The Associated Press Tags: Amr Moussa, Syria, Lebanon  The head of the Arab League on Saturday discussed an Arab plan to solve the 15-month Lebanese political crisis with Syria's President Bashar Assad, saying a solution could be reached soon. Neighboring Syria is a key player in Lebanon, backing the country's Hezbollah-led opposition against Prime Minister Fuad Saniora's government, which is supported by Western countries including the United States. Moussa arrived in Syria Friday after three days of crisis talks with Lebanese politicians. Lebanon has been without a president since November, and many fear that the political crisis - the worst since the end of the country's 1975-90 civil war - might degenerate into street violence if no solution is found soon. Advertisement "I can't say that we have reached a solution formula," Moussa told reporters. But he added: "I think that we are on the road, moving step by step." He said that a solution to the deepening crisis could be reached soon. Moussa's recent efforts led to a meeting between parliament majority leader Saad Hariri and Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun in Beirut on Thursday, the first between the two in several months. More talks are expected when Moussa returns from Syria. The Arab plan, adopted by Arab foreign ministers in Egypt on Jan. 5, calls for the election of army commander, Gen. Michel Suleiman, as president, the formation of a national unity government and the adoption of a new election law. Parliament has failed several times to elect a president in the past weeks, and the legislature is to make its 13th attempt on Monday. Following his hour-long meeting with Assad, Moussa said he is neither optimistic or pessimistic. "We're still working," he said. The state-run Syrian news agency SANA said Assad and Moussa also discussed arrangements for the next Arab summit, scheduled to be held in Damascus in March. Moussa also met Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem. Related articles: Arab leaders approve of plan to end Lebanon's political crisis Top Hezbollah official blasts Bush, says Lebanon rejects his tutelage Bookmark to del.icio.us   Follow the leader Will Florida's Jews follow Joe Lieberman's example and vote Republican? Show of strength Israel's successful test of a new dual-stage missile wasn't meant for Iran's eyes.   1.   Lebanon, Shot In The Kneecaps & Then Rushed To ICU Ward ... 21:21  |  Lavi 19/01/08

Today Online IDF kills two Gaza militants; Qassam strikes Sderot Responses: 493 Hamas policy: Escalation to force Gaza cease fire Responses: 253 Nasrallah: Hezbollah has the body parts of IDF soldiers Responses: 167 Benvenisti: Bush, Olmert, Abbas, the three stooges Responses: 67 Kaffiyeh-wearing protesters greet new Israeli envoy to U.K. Responses: 272 Rosner's Domain Blog & Poll: Can Joe Lieberman convince Jews in Florida to vote for McCain? Difference between Ahmadinejad and Khamenei (WTR) The Israel Factor: Bloomberg good only without Hagel Rosner's Mailbox: Brzezinski against 'right of return' because of Poland Shas voters do not want American Jews in Jerusalem debate More Headlines 21:32 Nasrallah tells Beirut crowd Hezbollah has the body parts of IDF soldiers 19:20 Canada takes close allies U.S., Israel off torture watchlist 20:09 IDF kills two militants in Gaza; Qassam rocket strikes Sderot 16:56 UN warns of humanitarian crisis as Israel seals Gaza crossings 22:01 In U.S., some write their own Mezuza prayer, others turn to Torah-yoga 20:28 Arab League head discusses crisis in Lebanon with Syria's Assad 15:53 Hamas says it foiled Fatah plot to assassinate Ismail Haniyeh 17:28 Cabinet to appoint development team to establish national museum 20:23 Kibbutz movement head urges Barak to stay in gov't after Winograd Previous Editions Select Day 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan

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