The head of the Arab League says he has won Syria's support for his efforts to mediate a solution to Lebanon's political crisis.

Amr Moussa talks to reporters during press conference in Damascus, 21 Dec 2006

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa told reporters in Damascus that he is relieved after his meeting Thursday, with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. He said Mr. Assad supports the Arab League initiative to mediate in Lebanon.

Moussa has been meeting in Beirut with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and the pro-Syrian opposition to try to bridge the differences between the two sides.

Elsewhere, Lebanese police say they have seized explosives and bomb-making materials in a raid on several houses in the northern part of the country.

Security sources say at least four members of a pro-Syrian political party were arrested in the raid.

The Syrian Social Nationalist Party advocates a greater Syria to include Lebanon.

The United States has accused Syria of meddling in Lebanon's internal affairs.

In November, the Shi'ite militant group Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian allies left Lebanon's cabinet, demanding a unity government and more power.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.