An uneasy calm descended on Beirut and other areas of Lebanon on Wednesday as a high-powered Arab League delegation launched a mediation mission to try to pull Lebanon back from the brink of civil war. The delegation sought to defuse tension between the US-backed governing coalition and Hezbollah, which has routed its rivals in the worst spate of violence among Lebanese since a 1975-90 civil war. “The Arab League mission opens a window for a solution,” a senior Lebanese political source said. “It has specific steps that raise hopes of a compromise deal.” Arab foreign ministers agreed to send the mission, led by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani and Arab League chief Amr Moussa, after Hezbollah briefly seized control of the Muslim part of Beirut before handing it over to the army last week. The delegation, which includes foreign ministers of eight Arab countries, made no public comment as it began talks with Lebanese officials including Prime Minister Fuad Siniora. The mediators flew in a private jet to Beirut's international airport, which closed when Hezbollah-led opposition blocked all roads leading to it last week. If the mediation succeeds in easing tension, the delegation is expected to invite rival leaders to Qatar for talks aimed at resolving their protracted political conflict. The broader political dispute revolves around how to share power in cabinet and a new parliamentary election law. The 18-month-long conflict - a standoff between an anti-Syrian cabinet and opposition forces backed by Damascus - has left Lebanon without a president since November. Syria's foreign ministry offered public support for the Arab delegation on Wednesday and called on all Lebanese parties to cooperate. Meanwhile, Lebanon's government canceled measures on Wednesday that angered the Hezbollah movement and triggered the internal conflict. The government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora said in a statement that it was taking the step in line with a request by the Lebanese army to preserve civil peace and promote an Arab League mediation effort to end Lebanon's political crisis. The US State Department said on Wednesday, the United States plans to speed up assistance to Lebanon's army but has no plans as yet to increase current military aid to deal with the latest crisis. The US will also press the UN Security Council to take up the issue of Lebanon this week, the White House said. At least 81 people have been killed since violence broke out on May 7.
