Lebanese meet to discuss Moussa's aims

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Officials from three Lebanese political parties met in Beirut with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa to talk about the stalled presidential elections.

The gathering of Future Bloc leader Saad Al-Hariri, Phalange Party Chief Amin Gemayel, and Change and Reform Bloc Head Michel Aoun was in line with Moussa's attempts to secure Arab initiatives to bring Lebanon out of a political crisis, the Kuwait News Agency KUNA reported Friday.

Moussa later met with Parliament speaker Nabih Berri to discuss the outcome of his meeting with the opposition and majority political leaders. The sides failed to approve a plan to resolve a standoff on electing a new president, a statement from Berri's office said.

Several Lebanese newspapers were skeptical of Moussa's efforts.

"Moussa's new efforts for the Arab initiative come at a time of depression and doubtfulness towards the efficiency of the whole process, internal disputes and Arab disagreement on how to help Lebanon paint a grim picture of the future," the Lebanese newspaper Annahar said.

Newspapers also said Moussa's efforts would create excuses for postponing Monday's parliamentary session on electing a national unity government.