Feuding Lebanese factions reach deal to end violence, start dialogue

The feuding factions agreed to hold political talks in Qatar 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.

Immediately after the deal was announced, the opposition cleared a series of roadblocks along the airport road that had stopped flights for a week. Shortly afterward, two planes from the Lebanese national carrier, Middle East Airlines landed at the Beirut International Airport.

"The parties pledge not to use weapons or violence again with the aim of scoring political gains," Hamad told journalists in a Beirut conference hall. "Both parties are willing to open a new chapter."

Hamad made the announcement with representatives of all Lebanese factions present _ an indication the deal had the blessing of both sides.

Under the deal, unauthorized gunmen must leave Lebanon's streets and the army will impose security across the country, Hamad said. Political leaders also pledge to refrain from language that could stir up political or religious turmoil.

In the Qatar talks, the opposing camps will discuss the formation of a national unity government, according to the deal.

The breakthrough came after a marathon Cabinet session Wednesday night where the government rescinded measures against Hezbollah that sparked fierce street clashes.

The government backed down from its decisions to remove the airport security chief for alleged ties to the militant group and to declare Hezbollah's private telephone network illegal. The network is the backbone of the militant group's communication abilities and power on the ground.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had said the decisions amounted to a declaration of war and his armed fighters took to the streets a week ago, demanding the government rescind its orders. They seized control of large parts of Muslim west Beirut.

Clashes then broke out across the country, many of them along sectarian lines, leaving 65 people dead.

The Cabinet's turnaround was a major Hezbollah victory and a sign that the group, by resorting to force, appears to have gained the upper hand in a power struggle with the government.

The violence grew out of an 18-month political standoff between the government and the opposition. The opposition quit the Cabinet in November 2006, demanding more power and a veto over all government decisions.

The deadlock has prevented parliament from electing a new president, leaving the country without a head of state for six months.

Suleiman had already been agreed on by both camps as a consensus candidate for president. But the opposition was blocking the vote in parliament until its demands on the makeup of the government were met.

Arab League mediators said the deal has the support of all parties, including Syria and Saudi Arabia.

Earlier Thursday after meeting with the Arab delegation, Hezbollah deputy leader Sheik Naim Kassem said the group will return things to normal in Lebanon after the government reversed the decisions that triggered the violence.

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