Arab League head tries again to end Lebanon crisis

BEIRUT, Dec 19 (Reuters) Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa today renewed efforts to end a political standoff in Lebanon, which many fear could turn violent as the country faces its worst political split since the 1975-1990 civil war.

''I still hold the view that there is hope,'' Moussa said on arrival at Beirut airport. He met leaders of all the main factions last week and reported progress but no breakthrough.

Anti-Syrian leaders who control the government, backed by the United States, are being challenged by an opposition led by Syrian-backed Hezbollah, which wants veto power in the cabinet.

Opposition ministers quit the cabinet last month when talks on giving them more seats collapsed and an opposition protest in central Beirut entered its 19th day today.

Thousands of opposition supporters wearing the yellow, green and orange of the main factions gathered for an evening rally metres (yards) from the offices of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

The opposition has declared the government illegitimate and yesterday raised its demands by calling for early parliamentary elections.

Hezbollah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Kassem, whose group is also backed by Iran, told Reuters today it was up to the governing coalition to respond to Moussa's proposals.

''Let's see what Amr Moussa is carrying with him and what will be the answers of the ruling coalition to his initiative -- whether they will be responsive to it or thwart it,'' he said.

The anti-Syrian coalition says the opposition wants to open the door to more Syrian and Iranian influence.

Moussa's first meeting was with Siniora.

''It was a positive and constructive meeting but we still have a long way to go,'' senior Moussa aide Hesham Youssef told Reuters.

He is due to meet other leaders including Nabih Berri, an opposition leader and the parliament speaker.

The conflicting interests of the international backers of the rival factions are complicating mediation. Moussa held talks on Sunday in Saudi Arabia, which backs Siniora.

Moussa said he would visit Syria later in the week and was in touch with all countries in the region, including Iran.

Damascus was forced to withdraw its troops from Lebanon last year after international pressure and mass protests triggered by the assassination of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.

Many Lebanese blamed the killing on Syria, which denies any involvement.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged international support for Siniora in an interview with Dubai-based Al Arabiya television.

Rice said what Lebanon needs most is for Syria ''to leave it alone and let Lebanese resolve these issues''.

REUTERS SY PM2339