"We have to contain, with all our capabilities, the existing big problems and to shift the current situation into a safer position," Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said. "No doubt the Taif agreement has its own role in solving the problem at this stage."
None of the Arab officials delivering speeches ahead of private consultations gave any indication of how soon a withdrawal might come.
Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Vall Ould Bellal called on Syria to implement the Taif agreement "according to a sensible timetable."
Assad was to visit Riyadh later Thursday, accompanied by Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa, who had been in Riyadh for consultations on the Lebanon situation Monday - the day the Lebanese government resigned.
Notably absent from the Arab League meeting were al-Sharaa and his Lebanese counterpart, Mahmoud Hammoud, who serves in a caretaker role with the rest of the pro-Syrian Lebanese government that resigned Monday.
The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, stopped by the Arab League but did not stay for the full meeting, heading instead to the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheik to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
On leaving the Arab League building, he was asked to comment on Egyptian-Saudi efforts to calm the political storm surrounding Syria's role in Lebanon.
"There is no preconception (for a way out) of this crisis," he said, hurrying away. After meeting Mubarak, he left without speaking to reporters.
There, Egyptian presidential spokesman Suleiman Awad told reporters that a means must be found for "marrying the Taif agreement with the Security Council resolution" passed last year calling for all foreign forces to leave Lebanon.
"We are working on it," he said. "The aim is easing the pressure off Syria."
A wave of anti-Syrian protests began at the funeral of former premier Rafik Hariri, whose Feb. 14 assassination was widely blamed on Syria and the Damascus-allied Lebanese government. Both governments deny any role.
The protests continued - larger, louder and bolder - until the Lebanese government resigned. Far fewer people have kept up the peaceful "independence uprising" in the past few days, shifting attention to political maneuvering.
Arab ministers played down any lasting effect the turmoil might have.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Kerbi expressed sorrow over Hariri's death and hope that "our brothers in Lebanon will overcome this predicament and unify their ranks in a way that will guarantee the safety, security, unity and stability of Lebanon."
"Undoubtedly, the wisdom in which Syria is dealing with these developments will enable Lebanon and Syria to maintain their special historic relationship," said al-Kerbi, acting as chairman for the meeting.
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Associated Press reporter Sarah El-Deeb contributed to this report from Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt.
