Tension rises at Lebanon crisis talks

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Tension mounted on Sunday's second day of talks between rival Lebanese leaders trying to end a feud that pushed their country towards all-out sectarian war, as politicians traded charges over the divisive issue of Hezbollah arms.

The Qatari hosts of the Arab-brokered talks on Saturday defused a clash over the weaponry of the powerful Syria- and Iran-backed Shiite militia by offering to come up with a proposal on the issue as the negotiators focused on other matters.

Lebanon's rival factions agreed on Thursday to talk to try to resolve a protracted political impasse which erupted into deadly sectarian fighting and saw Hezbollah and its allies temporarily seize swathes of west Beirut.

But after a virtual blackout on the progress of side...