A deal has been reached aimed at ending the political crisis in Lebanon, officials at talks in Qatar say.
A deal has been reached aimed at ending the political crisis in Lebanon, officials at talks in Qatar say.
Arab mediators have been engaged in five days of talks to try to reconcile the Western-backed Lebanese government and the Hezbollah-led opposition.
Arab mediators have been engaged in five days of talks to try to reconcile the Western-backed Lebanese government and the Hezbollah-led opposition.
Lebanon's deep political divisions have led to an 18-month crisis that has come close to sparking a new civil war.
Lebanon's deep political divisions have led to an 18-month crisis that has come close to sparking a new civil war.
The resulting deadlock in parliament has left Lebanon without a president since November.
The resulting deadlock in parliament has left Lebanon without a president since November.
Street battles
Street battles
The breakthrough came after both sides agreed on an electoral law for parliamentary elections next year and on a power-sharing cabinet that would allow a new president to be elected, delegates to the talks said.
The breakthrough came after both sides agreed on an electoral law for parliamentary elections next year and on a power-sharing cabinet that would allow a new president to be elected, delegates to the talks said.
Opposition MP Ali Hasan Khalil said he expected a parliamentary vote to elect a president on Thursday or Friday.
Opposition MP Ali Hasan Khalil said he expected a parliamentary vote to elect a president on Thursday or Friday.
The rival groups had agreed last year on electing army chief Gen Michel Suleiman to succeed outgoing pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, but disagreement over the other issues delayed the vote.
The rival groups had agreed last year on electing army chief Gen Michel Suleiman to succeed outgoing pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, but disagreement over the other issues delayed the vote.
Lebanon has been in political crisis since late 2006 when the Hezbollah-led opposition left a national unity coalition cabinet, demanding more power and a veto over government decisions.
Lebanon has been in political crisis since late 2006 when the Hezbollah-led opposition left a national unity coalition cabinet, demanding more power and a veto over government decisions.
The crisis exploded into street battles between armed supporters of the factions this month that left at least 65 people dead.
The crisis exploded into street battles between armed supporters of the factions this month that left at least 65 people dead.
Government attempts to outlaw Hezbollah's private telephone network and reassign Beirut airport's security chief triggered the worst violence since Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.
Government attempts to outlaw Hezbollah's private telephone network and reassign Beirut airport's security chief triggered the worst violence since Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.
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