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Lebanon rivals agree crisis deal Lebanon rivals agree crisis deal
(41 minutes later)
Rival Lebanese leaders have reached agreement on steps to end the political deadlock that has led to the worst violence since the 1975-90 civil war. Rival Lebanese leaders have agreed on steps to end the political deadlock that has led to the country's worst violence since the 1975-90 civil war.
The agreement brokered by Arab states covers the formation of a new national unity government and electoral reforms. The Western-backed government and the pro-Syrian opposition arrived at the deal after days of talks in Qatar.
It paves the way for parliament to elect a new president, a position that has been empty since last November. Under the deal, the opposition - led by the Hezbollah political and militant group - will have the power of veto in a new cabinet of national unity.
Correspondents say the deal is a major triumph for the opposition Hezbollah, whose key demands were met. It also paves the way for parliament to elect a new president.
The post has been empty since November.
Correspondents say the agreement is a major triumph for Hezbollah, whose key demands have been met.
'No losers''No losers'
In a speech at the ceremony in the Qatari capital Doha to sign the agreement, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora said it was an exceptional agreement for an exceptional time. In a speech at the ceremony in the Qatari capital Doha in which the deal was signed, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora said it was an exceptional agreement for an exceptional time.
Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh said there were "no losers" under the deal.Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh said there were "no losers" under the deal.
DOHA AGREEMENT Western-backed ruling majority to get 16 cabinet seats and choose prime ministerSyrian-backed opposition to get 11 cabinet seats and veto powerThree cabinet seats to be nominated by presidentThe use of weapons in internal conflicts is to be bannedOpposition protest camps in central Beirut are to be removed New law to divide country into smaller electoral districts Amr Moussa, head of the Arab League, which brokered the agreement, said it "releases Lebanon from its shackles". DOHA AGREEMENT Western-backed ruling majority to get 16 cabinet seats and choose prime ministerSyrian-backed opposition to get 11 cabinet seats and veto powerThree cabinet seats to be nominated by presidentThe use of weapons in internal conflicts is to be bannedOpposition protest camps in central Beirut are to be removed New law to divide country into smaller electoral districts class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4823&edition=1">Send us your comments
Amr Moussa, head of the Arab League, which brokered the agreement, said it "releases Lebanon from its shackles".
Parliament majority leader Saad Hariri said the agreement opens "a new page for Lebanon".
The deal gives the Hezbollah-led opposition bloc enough seats in the cabinet for a veto.The deal gives the Hezbollah-led opposition bloc enough seats in the cabinet for a veto.
It also provides for changes to the electoral law, which could prove decisive in next year's parliamentary elections.It also provides for changes to the electoral law, which could prove decisive in next year's parliamentary elections.
The controversial issue of Hezbollah's sizeable arsenal - part of which was used in a brief take-over parts of west Beirut earlier in May - has also been addressed.The controversial issue of Hezbollah's sizeable arsenal - part of which was used in a brief take-over parts of west Beirut earlier in May - has also been addressed.
MP Marwan Hamadeh said the "agreement forbids internal use of weapons... and calls for dialogue... on the whole subject of arms".MP Marwan Hamadeh said the "agreement forbids internal use of weapons... and calls for dialogue... on the whole subject of arms".
Hezbollah has been refusing to give up any of its military capability, arguing that it is essential in the struggle against Lebanon's southern neighbour, Israel.Hezbollah has been refusing to give up any of its military capability, arguing that it is essential in the struggle against Lebanon's southern neighbour, Israel.
President votePresident vote
The agreement also paves the way for parliament to elect the army chief, General Michel Suleiman, as president. The agreement also paves the way for parliament to elect army chief General Michel Suleiman as president, which officials say will happen on Sunday.
For months, Gen Suleiman has been accepted by all sides as the only candidate to succeed outgoing pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, but political disagreements have repeatedly prevented a parliamentary vote to appoint him.For months, Gen Suleiman has been accepted by all sides as the only candidate to succeed outgoing pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, but political disagreements have repeatedly prevented a parliamentary vote to appoint him.
Dozens of people died in clashes earlier this monthDozens of people died in clashes earlier this month
Opposition MP Ali Hasan Khalil said he expected the presidential vote to happen later this week.
An opposition protest camp in central Beirut is also to be dismantled, in what Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called a "gift" from the opposition.An opposition protest camp in central Beirut is also to be dismantled, in what Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called a "gift" from the opposition.
Reports from the AFP news agency suggest that Hezbollah members have already started to dismantle it. Hezbollah members have already started to carry away mattresses from the encampment.
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the Doha deal appears to have averted calamity by acknowledging a greater political role for Hezbollah.BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the Doha deal appears to have averted calamity by acknowledging a greater political role for Hezbollah.
He adds that some in the West, while applauding Lebanon's step back from the brink, may see this as a negative development.He adds that some in the West, while applauding Lebanon's step back from the brink, may see this as a negative development.
Lebanon has been in political crisis since late 2006 when the 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 opposition left a national unity coalition cabinet, demanding more power and a veto over government decisions.
The crisis turned violent two weeks ago when street battles between armed supporters of the factions left at least 65 people dead.The crisis turned violent two weeks ago when street battles between armed supporters of the factions left at least 65 people dead.
The clashes were triggered by government attempts to outlaw Hezbollah's private telephone network and reassign Beirut airport's security chief, who is close to the opposition.The clashes were triggered by government attempts to outlaw Hezbollah's private telephone network and reassign Beirut airport's security chief, who is close to the opposition.
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