Arab League mediation in Beirut fails-source

BEIRUT, Dec 14 (Reuters) Arab League chief Amr Moussa failed today to broker a deal to resolve Lebanon's political crisis, a senior political source said.

''Moussa's efforts to broker a deal have failed,'' the source said. There was no immediate comment from the Arab League secretary-general, but he was expected to give a news conference at 1930 IST.

Moussa, who arrived in Beirut on Tuesday, has been shuttling between rival Lebanese leaders in an effort to end the crisis which escalated after the Hezbollah-led opposition took to the streets to press its demand for veto power in the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

The opposition has declared Siniora's cabinet illegitimate and has been staging a round-the-clock protest in central Beirut since December 1.

The anti-Syrian leaders who control the cabinet have so far refused to yield. They say giving in would allow more Syrian and Iranian influence.

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