DAMASCUS, March 27: Syria called on Saudi Arabia on Thursday to exercise its influence on Lebanon’s pro-Western governing coalition to solve the country’s political crisis, which has left it without a president since November.

Beirut’s government, which is backed by countries including the United States and Saudi Arabia, has been locked in a power struggle since November 2006 with an opposition alliance backed by Syria and led by Hezbollah a group also sponsored by Iran.

Simmering tension between Saudi Arabia and Syria over Lebanon has boiled over in the run-up to an Arab summit that opens in Damascus on Saturday. Saudi King Abdullah, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Lebanon refuse to attend in protest against what they consider Syrian meddling in its neighbour.

Speaking at an Arab foreign ministers meeting to prepare for the summit, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem dismissed accusations that Syria was prolonging the deadlock in Beirut.

“The effort has to come from all Arab parties with friendships and influence in Lebanon. I point especially to Saudi Arabia which wields a big influence on the (ruling) majority,” Moualem said.

“Syria wants a stable, sovereign Lebanon. Anyone who thinks otherwise is mistaken. We are the first to be hurt from a worsening situation in Lebanon and we will be the first to benefit from stability,” Moualem said.

Syria supports demands by the Hezbollah-led opposition for veto power in the cabinet while Saudi Arabia supports the parliamentary majority led by billionaire politician Saad al-Hariri, who has resisted Hezbollah’s demands.

The majority coalition in a statement addressed to the summit called on the Arab states to put pressure on Syria to establish diplomatic ties with Beirut and abandon its attempts to regain its full control of Lebanon.

“What is required from friendly Arab states that support Lebanon ... is to exert maximum pressure on the Syrian regime to put a stop to its deep-seated greed in Lebanon and its persistent attempts to restore the time of hegemony,” the statement in Beirut said.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal made a secret visit to Damascus in late January that failed to reach a deal on Lebanon. Diplomats said Faisal then urged tough action against Syria during a tour of the United States and Europe in February. Saudi Arabia is a main ally of the pro-Western Lebanese government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.—Reuters