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.
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.