BEIRUT, Lebanon, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. ambassador in Lebanon urged the country's rival factions Friday to resort to dialogue for settling divisive and crucial issues facing Lebanon.
Jeffrey Feltman said after a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri that Washington backed his initiative in calling for consultations among Lebanese political leaders who are divided over the formation of a national unity government among other issues.
"These consultations are, in our view, a real opportunity for the Lebanese to determine for themselves a peaceful, and constitutional, way forward," Feltman said in a statement.
Earlier, a main leader of Lebanon's anti-Syria coalition warned Hezbollah against seeking to topple the government on the street.
Samir Geagea, head of the Christian Lebanese Forces, part of the multi-sectarian "March 14" coalition, said in an interview with NTV television Thursday night that "if Hezbollah wants to go on the street, it is its right within the law, but we have the same right as well."
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has served a seven-day deadline as of next Monday for Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to agree on the formation of a national unity government, or he will force him to step down through street protests.
Geagea cautioned that if the demonstrations turned into riots, security forces have strict instructions to quell any attempt to break the law, stressing that "we will be behind them and at their orders." He refused to elaborate on that last remark.
The anti-Syria coalition charges that Hezbollah's demand for a new government is aimed at sabotaging an international court that will try the defendants in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri which is largely blamed on Syria.
In another development, the U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon, UNIFIL, said around 9,450 troops from 20 different countries have been deployed in Lebanon in line with Security Council Resolution 1701.
A UNIFIL statement said 7,730 troops are deployed in south Lebanon between the Blue Line and the Litani River some 16 miles north of the border. Also a UNIFIL Maritime Task Force with 1,700 naval personnel is patrolling Lebanon's territorial waters.
