Lebanese leaders agree on ties with Syria

Leaders of Lebanon’s rival factions agreed today to demand that Syria establish diplomatic relations, but continued to spar over the fate of the country’s president and the disarmament of the militant Hezbollah group.

The 14 faction leaders – Muslim and Christian, pro- and anti-Syrian – did agree on disarming Palestinian guerrillas outside Lebanon’s refugee camps, and on the Lebanese identity of Chebaa Farms, a sliver of disputed territory on the southern border.

The convener of the national conference, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, told reporters at the end of today’s session that the talks had been adjourned to March 22.

“The issue of the presidency has been discussed, but it needs to be followed up,” Berri said, referring to the division over President Emile Lahoud, a staunch ally of Syria.

Anti-Syrian factions are pushing for him to step down, but pro-Syrians disagree.

Referring to the other sticking point, Berri said: “The matter of the resistance (Hezbollah) weapons is still under discussion.”