Abdullah, Assad, Qatar Emir in Beirut: Arab Umbrella for Lebanese Stability

Arab authorities that helped clinch the Doha accord in 2008 are seeking to "guarantee an Arab umbrella for Lebanese stability" amid growing tension in Lebanon, An Nahar daily reported Sunday.

The newspaper said that efforts are underway for Saudi King Abdullah, Syrian President Bashar Assad and Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to visit Beirut next Saturday.

Official sources confirmed to An Nahar that King Abdullah would travel to the Lebanese capital following a visit to Damascus on July 29. The sources, however, refused to confirm reports that the king would arrive from Damascus with Assad on the same plane.

A Lebanese ministerial source told Agence France Presse that Abdullah arrives in Beirut on July 30 following a visit to Damascus. The king will hold summit talks with President Michel Suleiman, it said.

The source added that the meeting will be culminated by a banquet at Baabda palace in which all Lebanese parties would take part.

Qatar's emir, meanwhile, will make a 3-day visit to Beirut during the same period to inspect projects carried out by Doha following the July 2006 war. The emir will also participate in Army Day on August 1.