They said the new mediation effort aimed at defusing tension ahead of a presidential election later in the year.

Lebanon was plunged into its worst political crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war when opposition ministers quit the cabinet of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora last November after the ruling majority refused opposition demands for veto power.

The majority accused the opposition, made up mainly of Christian and pro-Syrian Shi'ite Muslim factions, of trying to block passage of an international tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 killing of ex-premier Rafik al-Hariri.

Pro-government leaders say Syria was behind Hariri's assassination. Damascus denies any hand in it.

The opposition took to the streets from December 1 to press its demands, setting up a tent camp in central Beirut that has blocked business in the heart of the capital ever since.

Siniora, backed by the United States, France and Saudi Arabia, refused to cave in.

The crisis paralyzed parliament, rendering it unable to approve the statutes for the U.N.-backed Hariri tribunal, and damaged an economy still trying to recover from a devastating July-August war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Security deteriorated, with a fresh wave of bombings and battles between the army and al Qaeda-inspired militants holed up in a Palestinian refugee camp in the north.

But after the U.N. Security Council approved formation of the tribunal last week, Saad al-Hariri, parliamentary majority leader and son of the slain ex-premier, offered an olive branch to the opposition, galvanizing efforts to resolve the crisis.

Political sources said French diplomats suggested to the anti-Syrian majority that it accept the opposition demand for veto power in the cabinet now that the court had been passed.

Paris wanted a smooth run-up to the election of a new president between late September and late November, they said.

In Lebanon, parliament elects the president, who is always a Maronite Christian under the country's complex power-sharing formula. If the assembly fails to choose a president, a power vacuum or creation of two rival administrations might ensue.

The French move encouraged Saudi Ambassador Abdul-Aziz Khojah to resume an earlier mediation effort in coordination with the Iranians, who are Hezbollah's main backers.

"We are close to a formula to resolve the government crisis," a senior opposition source said. "We are putting the final touches but we have to be cautious as we have been down this road before only for things to unravel quickly."

The sources said the deal would expand Siniora's original 24-member government to 30, with the opposition allocated more than 11 seats, the number necessary to block key decisions.

Iran's ambassador, Mohammad Reza Shibani, confirmed the revived efforts to resolve the crisis after meeting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is also a main opposition leader.

"There are joint French, Saudi and Iranian efforts and, more importantly, domestic Lebanese political efforts," Shibani said.

France planning a summit for Lebanon leaders in Paris

Ya Libnan has reported that France is planning to host a summit for the Lebanese leaders to be held in Paris in late June this summer.

Pro-government and opposition Lebanese politicians and influential people are being invited to discuss the crisis in Lebanon . In addition some Arab officials will also be present at the summit.

Geagea wants election of Lebanon president before Unity government

Lebanese Forces leader Dr. Samir Geagea said during a press conference this afternoon , that "the March 14 majority alliance accepts the formation of a national unity government only after the election of a new president".

Geagea noted that a national unity government would lead to “total paralysis” of constitutional institutions if it was not preceded by a political understanding on controversial issues.

Judging from his tone , it will be very difficult for the government majority to give up its control over the cabinet before securing the presidency. At this stage the 2 other main constitutional institutions , the presidency and the Speakership of the parliament are both controlled by the pro-Syrian opposition. If the opposition will have a veto in the cabinet then all the 3 main constitutional institutions will be controlled by them and march 14 alliance will be out even though they are the parliament majority..."which of course is really odd and totally undemocratic " according to Ahmad Yasseen , a local political analyst. Yasseen added " tell me which democratically elected majority in the civilized world has allowed the minority to run the country?"

Picture: France's former President Jacques Chirac escorts newly-elected President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) as he leaves the Elysee Palace after a joint meeting with Lebanon's parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri in Paris May 10. As his predecessor , Sarkozy is showing a lot of interest in Lebanon's Independence and sovereignty.

Sources: Ya Libnan, Reuters