Visiting Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan has urged Lebanese political leaders to take steps to ensure the anti-government sit-in does not spiral into violence, Lebanese local Naharnet news website reported on Tuesday.

"All political leaders must use their influence to ensure that the demonstrations do not escalate into political violence leading to human rights abuses," Khan was quoted as saying in a statement Monday.

Khan held talks here with Premier Fouad Seniora, President Emile Lahoud and Speaker Nabih Berri, after touring the south to evaluate the effect on civilians of the July-August Israeli offensive on Lebanon.

She also toured the protest grounds near the government headquarters in downtown Beirut, where the Hezbollah-led opposition is calling for the resignation of Seniora's government.

So far, Lebanon's opposition supporters has been staging a mass protest for four days. The open-ended rally aims to bring down the Seniora's government, which was deserted by six pro-Syrian ministers last month amid accusations of corruption and impotence after the July-August conflict with Israel.

Source: Xinhua