Lebanese rivals hold rare meeting

Hariri (C) and other political leaders are emerging from months of tension

The head of the Lebanese Shia movement, Hezbollah, and a rival Sunni political leader have held a rare meeting aimed at resolving their differences.

Talks between the pro-western 14 March movement leader Saad Hariri and Hassan Nasrallah of the pro-Syrian and Iranian Hezbollah were their first since 2006.

The meeting comes a few days ahead of a conference on national reconciliation.

A statement from Mr Hariri's office described the tone of the meeting - on Sunday - as "open and frank".

Both sides stressed the importance of "national unity and civil peace to prevent tensions and reinforce dialogue," according to the statement.

The 14 March bloc holds a majority in the Lebanese parliament.

Tension between it and the Hezbollah-led opposition brought the country close to civil war, before a deal in May led to the formation of a government of national unity.

Hezbollah and its allies were given enough ministerial seats to give them a veto on government decisions in the Qatari-brokered deal.

Mr Nasrallah and Mr Hariri are preparing for wider reconciliation talks between Lebanon's main pro- and anti-Syrian factions during which a number of highly divisive issues - including the status of weapons held by Hezbollah - are expected to be discussed.