Syria backs Arab initiative on Lebanon - envoy

DAMASCUS, Dec 11 (Reuters) Syria supports an Arab League mediation to end the political crisis in Lebanon between its ally Hezbollah and the Western-backed government, a Sudanese envoy said today.

''I have received confirmation from the brothers in Syria that they are with Lebanese consensus and support our efforts,'' Sudanese presidential adviser Mustafa Osman Ismail, who was sent by the Arab League to Lebanon and Syria, told reporters.

''I was told by the rival factions in Lebanon that they have agreed in principle to our proposals. I am returning to Lebanon today to resume our efforts,'' said Ismail, who met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem in Damascus.

Ismail said that Syria, which wants to see a new Lebanese national unity government, was fundamental to the success of the Arab initiative.

''Syria is pivotal. I have explained to Mr Moualem the efforts we have made so far to control the deterioration in Lebanon and stressed the importance of realising that there will be no victors or losers,'' Ismail said.

The Sudanese envoy will hold talks on the Arab League proposals with Lebanese leaders later today, following a show of force by the Hezbollah-led opposition. Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa will join him tomorrow.

The Arab League's mediation includes a proposal on a unity government, passage of a UN-proposed international tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and early presidential and parliamentary elections.

Syria said it wants nothing to do with the tribunal, partly due to the fact that it is being set up while a UN investigation into the assassination has not been completed.

The inquiry has implicated Lebanese and Syrian security officials in the killing. Damascus denies involvement.

The anti-Syrian majority in Lebanon says Damascus is bent on foiling the setting up of the tribunal and reasserting its influence over Lebanon, where it was the dominant foreign power until forced to pull out its troops last year.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters attended a rally in central Beirut on Sunday to press demands for a national unity government that grants more power to Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah and its Christian and Muslim allies.

Western-backed Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and his anti-Syrian allies have refused, saying Hezbollah wanted to place Lebanon under the tutelage of Syria and Iran, but the prime minister again called on Sunday for dialogue.

REUTERS BDP KP1730