Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon, Abdul Aziz Khoja ( R) cut short his Eid Al-Adha holiday trip to return to Beirut, where he promptly met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Friday, the daily As Safir reported Saturday.

The paper said Khoja expressed the kingdom's backing for Berri's "new initiative" aimed at resolving the crippling political crisis in Lebanon.

Berri, however, said the accusations made by MPs Walid Jumblatt and Marwan Hamadeh were aimed at "changing the atmosphere into a hostile mood."

The leading daily An Nahar on Saturday said Hezbollah retorted to Jumblatt, accusing him of making statements "upon request."

The paper said the anti-Syrian majority coalition, to which Jumblatt and Hamadeh belong, were skeptical about Berri's proposal.

An Nahar said Jumblatt disclosed that Berri's new offer considers forming a mini-cabinet -- three ministers for government supporters, three for the opposition, and four neutral -- ahead of settling the international tribunal issue.

It quoted sources in the ruling majority as saying that last week mediation by Arab League Chief Amr Moussa has failed after the Hezbollah-led opposition refused to agree on a "neutral" minister in the 30-member new government proposed by Moussa.

The majority, according to An Nahar, also accused the opposition for failing to undertake a "clear pledge" in the international tribunal issue.

The paper asked: "Will the opposition stand change with Berri's initiative?"

Source: Naharnet, Ya Libnan