Moussa getting nowhere – Saudi foreign minister

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said Wednesday he was worried about the ongoing political crisis in Lebanon and blamed a "foreign party" for undermining attempts to restore stability in the country.

Speaking at a conference of Arab and South American foreign ministers in Buenos Aires, he said that Arab League chief Amr Moussa's mediation efforts have not yet yielded any results, adding that a "foreign party does not want to see stability in Lebanon."

At the same conference, Moussa reiterated that Lebanon's presidential election must take place as soon as possible and should be immediately followed by the formation of a national unity government.

Moussa's assistant, Hisham Youssef, arrived in Beirut Wednesday to pave the way for his boss' return in the coming few days. Youssef said Moussa's return depends on the success of his own preliminary talks.

Moussa is expected to arrive on Friday, two days ahead of a four-party meeting, grouping theArab League chief, leader of the parliamentary majority MP Saad Hariri, former President Amin Gemayel and opposition leader MP Michel Aoun.

But Hariri told his family's Future News television on Wednesday that there were no signs of a solution on the horizon and warned that the Lebanese were not obliged to implement "Syria's vision."

"A solution is not in the offing because opposition leaders are still trading roles," he said.

"Aoun insists on getting veto power in the next cabinet, while Speaker Nabih Berri is marketing the 10+10+10 [formula]," he said,in reference to a proposal in which the ruling coalition, the opposition and the new president would each get 10 ministerial posts in the next cabinet.

"Such formula was actually made in Syria," Hariri added.

In response, Aoun told Hizbullah's Al-Manar television that there was no need for Moussa's return given Hariri's objection to the 10+10+10 formula.

However, Berri told AnNahr and As-Safir newspapers late Tuesday that he would be willing to move forward with the 10+10+10 formula and head to Parliament next Tuesday to elect a new president.

"As far as I know, no party has rejected this formula. I told Moussa that I am ready to move forward with it," Berri said.

"Something is being prepared for the Sunday meeting," he added, without elaborating.

Ali Hamdan, Berri's media adviser, told The Daily Star on Wednesday that the speaker's position has not changed regarding the 10+10+10 formula.

Hamdan said the formula was initially proposed by Hariri, but "unfortunately,


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