Moussa in Fresh Effort to Try to Solve Lebanon Presidential Crisis

Arab League chief Amr Moussa is expected to arrive in Beirut on Sunday in a fresh effort to try to solve the prolonged presidential crisis in Lebanon.

Arab diplomatic sources, however, said Moussa”s visit could only last a few hours if a meeting between the rival political factions was not fruitful.

 

Moussa told the daily Asharq al-Awsat he “will pick up talks with the Lebanese sides where we left off,” pointing to the difficulties in finding a settlement to the Lebanon crisis.

 

Meanwhile, sources with the pro-government majority March 14 alliance said MP Saad Hariri was likely not to take part in the quartet talks.

 

The sources said Hariri, in Saudi Arabia since the past few days, was already committed to meetings in Riyadh.

They said the majority will be represented at the Moussa-sponsored meeting by former President Amin Gemayel.

 

Moussa was expected to return to Beirut on Friday, but postponed his trip after efforts by his assistant Hisham Youssef failed to reach a settlement to the presidential crisis.