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Turkish, Qatari Ministers Suspend Mediation Efforts in Lebanon


Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan speaks with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad, as Turkey's Foreign Minister Davutogluat and Hezbollah official al-Khalil listen during their meeting in Beirut, 19 Jan 2011
Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan speaks with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad, as Turkey's Foreign Minister Davutogluat and Hezbollah official al-Khalil listen during their meeting in Beirut, 19 Jan 2011

The foreign ministers of Turkey and Qatar say they are suspending efforts to mediate Lebanon's political crisis after two days of talks with that country's rival politicians.

In a joint statement, Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani said the talks focused on the Saudi-Syrian initiative aimed at resolving the crisis.

It said that because of some reservations to the proposal they have decided to halt their efforts in Lebanon in order to consult with their leadership.

VOA's Margaret Besheer in Beirut speaks with Middle East Monitor Host Susan Yackee:

On Wednesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said the situation in Lebanon was dangerous and could lead to a separation of the country along religious, ethnic and sectarian lines.

Lebanon has been embroiled in a political crisis for months over the impending results of the U.N.-backed tribunal's probe.

Media reports have said the tribunal plans to indict several prominent Hezbollah members. Hezbollah denies having a role in the attack.

Last week, Hezbollah and its allies quit Lebanon's Western-backed government because of tensions over the tribunal investigation.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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