DAMASCUS, Syria, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The success of the Arab initiative for settling Lebanon's persistent political crisis appeared to be the last resort to avert escalation of confrontations.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa, who held talks in Damascus Thursday on the Lebanese crisis, warned that the failure of Arab mediation efforts between the anti-Syria government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and the Hezbollah-led opposition camp might lead to Lebanon's "Iraqization," in reference to civil violence, especially between Sunnis and Shiites.
Mousa declared after talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad, Foreign Minister Waleed Muallem and Vice President Farouk Sharaa that Syria extended full support to the Arab initiative.
He said "the strong support we received from President Assad is very important and complements the Arab support received from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Arab states."
Mousa pointed out the Syrian officials were unanimous is "supporting whatever the Lebanese agree upon without foreign interference or influence."
The Arab League chief was quoted as saying in Beirut's daily as-Safir that he will meet with the rival Lebanese factions after returning from Damascus later Thursday and then he will decide whether to continue his mission or return to Cairo if talks reached an impasse.
He warned the failure of the Arab initiative in resolving the Lebanese crisis "would plunge Lebanon into a dark tunnel."
As-Safir said, quoting sources close to Mousa, that if "a settlement is reached and each camp offers mutual concessions to achieve a compromise, Mousa would extend his mission in Beirut."
In the meantime, the Lebanese are holding their breath and keeping their fingers crossed as the Hezbollah-led camp continued its open sit-in to press for a national unity government or the resignation of Siniora.
