BEIRUT (AFP) – Lebanese leaders return to roundtable talks to discuss possible government changes amid threats to take to the streets by both pro-Damascus Hezbollah and the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority.The crucial talks Sunday follow a warning from French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie on Saturday of the risks of renewed violence on the Lebanon – Isrtael border after the Jewish state’s devastating summer war with Hezbollah.
The Shiite group Hezbollah has been seeking to cash in on its "divine victory" — for its guerrillas’ fierce resistance to the month-long Israeli offensive – by pressing for a government of national unity.The militant group, which has two representatives in the cabinet, wants more seats in government for its allies, mostly followers of Christian leader Michel Aoun. Influential parliament speaker Nabih Berri has called for the national dialogue among leaders of the various communities to consider a unity government and the adoption of a new electoral law to end the political stalemate.