Lebanon talks on govt change collapse: Aoun

Beirut, Nov 11: Talks to defuse Lebanon's simmering political crisis collapsed today after anti-Syrian leaders rejected demands from Hezbollah and its allies for a decisive say in government.

''We did not reach a result today and the session was ended without setting a date for a new session,'' Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally, told reporters after a fourth session of talks.

The failure of the week-long talks, convened by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, opens the door for a sharp escalation of tensions that could plunge the country into chaos.

REUTERS