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France hosts Lebanon crisis talks Lebanon factions 'open dialogue'
(1 day later)
Lebanese rival political groups, including Hezbollah, are meeting in France to try to end a long running political crisis gripping the nation. France says Lebanon's rival political groups have reopened dialogue after months of deadlock that has crippled the country's political life.
The French-sponsored two-day talks are taking place at a chateau near Paris. The move comes after two days of talks between the main Lebanese parties, which were held in France.
However, everybody is playing down hopes of an early breakthrough, our correspondent in Beirut says. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the participants had agreed not to use violence for political ends.
Mr Kouchner said he would go to Beirut in late July to follow up the dialogue.
Lebanon's Western-backed government and the opposition supported by Syria and Iran have been deadlocked since six opposition ministers quit in November.Lebanon's Western-backed government and the opposition supported by Syria and Iran have been deadlocked since six opposition ministers quit in November.
The parties have since failed to agree how a new unity government might be structured.The parties have since failed to agree how a new unity government might be structured.
Lebanese fearsLebanese fears
Some 30 officials from Lebanon's 14 political parties and civic groups are taking part in the talks behind closed doors in La Celle-Saint Cloud. The talks in France brought many rival factions together
Among the participants are also representatives from the opposition Shia group Hezbollah. Some 30 officials from Lebanon's 14 political parties and civic groups took part in the talks behind closed doors in La Celle-Saint Cloud.
Among the participants were also representatives from the opposition Shia group Hezbollah.
Hezbollah sent its team despite complaints from French Jewish groups who have branded the group a terrorist organisation.Hezbollah sent its team despite complaints from French Jewish groups who have branded the group a terrorist organisation.
A French foreign ministry spokesman said he hoped the meeting would mark the beginning of restored dialogue.
The talks are expected to end with a news conference on Sunday evening.
Many in Lebanon fear that the situation there could deteriorate further if no deal is struck before the presidential election in September.Many in Lebanon fear that the situation there could deteriorate further if no deal is struck before the presidential election in September.
The nation has been in turmoil since the assassination former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, and a 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel last year.The nation has been in turmoil since the assassination former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, and a 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel last year.
About 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, were killed in the conflict.
France, the former colonial power, has strong ties with some of Lebanon's rival factions and hopes to use its clout to encourage dialogue.
Mr Kouchner said he would travel to Beirut on 28 July to build on progress made at the weekend.
Refugee camp
Most of the Palestinian refugees living in the camp have now fled
There was further heavy fighting on Sunday between the Lebanese army and Islamist militants besieged within a Palestinian refugee camp in the north of the country.
Witnesses said they had seen Lebanese and army flags flying above some of the buildings in the Nahr al-Bared camp, which has been devastated during two months of fighting.
The army continued its bombardment of positions held by the Fatah al-Islam group, who responded with rockets.
The camp was home to tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees, most of whom have now fled.
About 200 people, most of them soldiers and militants, have been killed in seven weeks of fighting.