Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a main opposition leader, on Tuesday uncovered an initiative to resolve the political standoff in the country, including ending ongoing opposition sit-in in central Beirut, local NBN TV reported.

Berri disclosed the initiative at a news conference in his house in Ein Tina in Beirut, saying that it was intended to create reconciliation between him and rival parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri, head of the Future Bloc in Lebanese parliament.

Under the reconciliation initiative, the opposition would approve an international tribunal for the assassination case of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri following discussions involving four pro and anti-tribunal figures.

Once the trial issue is settled, ministerial portfolios are to be distributed on the basis of 19 to the governmental camp and 11 to the opposition, he said.

Then, the two proposals bearing on the tribunal and the government would be presented to leaders of Lebanese factions, who were reportedly to hold talks in Saudi Arabia, for signing under the sponsorship of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz.

"Once this happens, the sit-in in central Beirut will be over," Berri added.

The Lebanese parliament speaker also said "The current crisis can be resolved only through dialogue. But, if dialogue fails, we will move from one street to another," referring to possible further opposition moves.

Political disputes in Lebanon have lasted for months in which politicians traded insults and their supporters clashed in the streets.

The disputes of the two rival political blocs concentrated on two main issues, namely the opposition's demand for a veto in the government and the majority's demand for the ratification of the international tribunal for the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, father of Saad Hariri.

Source: Xinhua