President Elias Hrawi has asked the U.S., Soviet and French presidents to pressure rebellious Christian Gen. Michel Aoun into leaving the presidential palace peacefully, a government source said.
Despite heavy rain, Christian youths Friday maintained a human shield around the palace east of Beirut to protect Aoun, who has defied Hrawi's orders to step down, against a possible Syrian attack.Hrawi's request was relayed in messages to the three heads of state through diplomatic channels, the source said on condition of anonymity.
"The president wants to give political efforts all the chance they deserve. Aoun should leave the presidential palace," the source said.
In Muscat, Oman, French Defense Minister Jean-Pierre Chevenement said France saw a chance for a compromise to end the confrontation between Hrawi and Aoun.
The official Oman News Agency quoted Chevenement as saying his country had been "in contact with all Lebanese parties and saw the possibility of an acceptable compromise solution."
He did not elaborate, in the statements distributed by the agency in Arabic, and it was not clear what kind of compromise solution could solve the standoff.
On Wednesday, Aoun told the French radio station Europe 1 that he was ready to compromise with the Syrian-backed Lebanese government headed by Hrawi.
The Lebanese government source said Hrawi was "trying to avoid a military showdown. But at the same time, he is determined to regain control of all government institutions in the Christian area."