The Lebanese Cabinet on Wednesday reversed measures against Hizbullah movement that last week set off Lebanon's worst violence since the 1975-90 civil war. The decision was a major win for Hizbullah.
Seconds after the announcement, celebratory gunfire erupted south of Beirut.
According to the AP, Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said the government made a "courageous" decision to revoke the measures "in view of the higher national interest." Aridi conveyed the government hoped the decision would "pave the way for a new stage" in which the country would "manage to put sectarian strife behind us and concentrate on Lebanese national unity."
He said the government hoped for a settlement in the crisis with the Hezbollah-led opposition that has paralyzed Lebanon for 18 months.
following the government's decision, an Arab League delegation is set to announce a deal Thursday afternoon. The delegation is expected to announce talks in Qatar aiming to resolve the broader political conflict.
Roadblocks in Beirut, including barricades on the airport road, are expected to be lifted on Thursday after the Arab League delegation, led by the prime minister of Qatar, announces agreement on the talks to be held in Doha. The talks will tackle the dispute over how to share power in the cabinet and the details of a new parliamentary election law. It is not clear when they will start.
