Meanwhile, well-informed sources were quoted as saying that the outcome of the Syrian-Saudi mediation efforts is expected to emerge before the end of November. The sources told Lebanese daily As-Safir that Saudi King Abdullah's advisor is likely to visit Damascus soon to put the final touches on the solution to the crisis over the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
The same daily said that the Syrian and Saudi efforts have produced a five-point compromise plan in which Prime Minster Saad Hariri is likely to declare Hezbollah’s innocence in the assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.
As-Safir quoted well informed sources as saying that the plan allows Hariri to declare Hezbollah’s innocence right after issuance of the indictment by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The sources said the plan, which is to be carried out after Eid al-Adha holiday, seeks to strengthen calm in Lebanon so that the Lebanese would absorb the shock of the indictment. It also calls for the referral of the false witnesses' issue to the ordinary Lebanese judiciary pending content of the indictment which could allow the expansion of the false witnesses' issue or have the Government forward it to the Judicial Council.
The plan, published by As-Safir, also offers a meeting between Hariri and Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah that would contribute to defusing tension over the indictment. Hariri would also adopt a pleasing position hailing the Resistance role in the liberation of Lebanon and in protecting Lebanon against Israeli aggression.
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