CAIRO, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Arab foreign ministers kicked off an emergency meeting here on Sunday to discuss the situation in Lebanon, where sectarian fighting between anti and pro-government supporters during the past several days cast more shadows on the political crisis in the country.

    At the request of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the Cairo-based Arab League (AL) held the emergency meeting at the level of foreign ministers to tackle the political crisis in Lebanon.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa attends the Arab foreign minister emergency meeting at the Arab League headquarters to discuss Lebanese issues in Cairo May 11, 2008.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Ahead of their official meeting, the Arab foreign ministers held informal talks to discuss a solution to the Lebanese crisis.

    Foreign ministers of the Pan-Arab bloc are expected to raise proposals at the meeting to help solve the ongoing political stalemate in Lebanon.

    Shortly before the meeting, AL Secretary General Amr Moussa conferred with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit on how to reach an Arab stance to help Lebanon get out of the tragic situation.

    They also discussed adopting a three-point Arab Peace Initiative on solving the Lebanese political crisis, the Egyptian official MENA news agency reported on Sunday.

    Lebanon is treading on eggs as fears about another civil war rises after riots in Beirut left at least 24 people dead and dozens of others injured in recent days.

Lebanon's Culture Minister Tarek Mitri attends Arab foreign minister emergency meeting at the Arab League headquarters to discuss Lebanese issues in Cairo May 11, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Decisions of the Lebanese government on Tuesday, ceasing Hezbollah private phone network and removing airport security chief Wakic Skqaier from his post for alleged links to Hezbollah, have triggered the recent unrest and fierce clashes in the country.

    On Saturday afternoon, Lebanon's Hezbollah-led opposition withdrew its armed presence from the capital Beirut after the army froze earlier cabinet decisions against the Shiite group.

    Lebanon is currently facing the most serious political deadlock since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war. For the first time in its history, the presidential seat has been vacant for months since Nov. 24, 2007 when former President Emile Lahoud ended his term and stepped down.

[1] [2] [3] [4]