Mediation efforts stalled, Turkey says ball in Lebanon's court

After presenting rival Lebanese groups with a plan for reconciliation, Turkey and Qatar yesterday put their mediation efforts on hold when the Lebanese group's plan was met with reservations. "We will always continue to expend efforts for the stability of Lebanon but it is time for the Lebanese to consider [ways for reconciliation], rather than for us to make a new effort," Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters in Istanbul after returning from a two-day mediation visit to Beirut. Turkish officials said Turkey and Qatar presented a two-page plan to the Lebanese groups but both the Hariri and Hezbollah camps expressed reservations. Hariri, according to officials speaking on condition of anonymity, insisted on keeping his position as prime minister in a new government – a demand Hezbollah rejects. The Turkish side has said in talks with Hariri that the current crisis stemmed from Hezbollah's opposition to Hariri becoming the head of the government and called instead for a different formula for the formation of a government, but failed to convince Hariri to change his mind. Opposition from both sides to the compromise formula made a deal impossible for the time being, according to Turkish officials. "Because of some reservations [to the proposals], they have decided to halt their efforts in Lebanon at this time and leave Beirut to consult with their leaderships," said a Turkish-Qatari joint statement released before Davutoglu and Sheikh Hamad left Beirut shortly before dawn.