Qatar hosts Lebanese groups

Lebanon's political leaders gathered in Qatar on Friday for talks aimed at ending the recent crisis.

In Doha on Friday they gathered in a hotel for an opening session chaired by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani, who then adjourned the meeting until the first round of talks proper on Saturday at 0730 GMT.

In a brief address to the politicians, Qatar's Emir stressed the need to preserve Lebanon's unity and said he hoped the rivals would reach an agreement.

The two sides in the simmering political conflict met after Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and parliament leader Saad Hariri flew into Qatar on a private plane.

Christian leader Samir Geagea, former president Amin Gemayel and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt of the ruling coalition arrived separately on a Qatari aircraft that also brought opposition member and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and his ally Christian leader Michel Aoun.

Hezbollah MP Mohammed Raad represented the Lebanese resistance in the talks.

They agreed on Thursday to launch a dialogue as part of a six-point plan, following Arab League mediation led by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem al-Thani.