Lebanese rival leaders open talks

Rival Lebanese leaders have started Arab-brokered talks in Qatar. They're aiming at ending a protracted political conflict that has pushed the country to the brink of a new civil war.

Arab mediators concluded a deal on Thursday to end six days of fighting which killed 81 people.

The violence has heightened tensions between Shi'ites loyal to Hezbollah, and Druze and Sunni followers of the ruling coalition.

Qatar invited the rivals for talks to end a political stand-off that has paralysed the government for 18 months, and left Lebanon without a president since November.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and Qatar's prime minister helped broker the agreement which ended the fighting.

A deal would lead to the election of army commander General Michel Suleiman as president. Both sides have long accepted his nomination for the post which is reserved for a Maronite Christian in Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani says under the deal, unauthorised gunmen must leave Lebanon's streets, and the army will impose security across the country.

Political leaders must also pledge to refrain from language that could stir up political or religious turmoil.

Arab League mediators say the deal has the support of all parties, including Syria and Saudi Arabia.