Lebanon opposition demands early elections

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's opposition, led by Syrian-backed Hezbollah, called on Monday for early parliamentary elections after the ruling anti-Syrian coalition refused to meet its demand for veto power in government.

The call for early elections, an escalation in opposition demands, could complicate Arab League efforts to end Lebanon's worst political crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. Many Lebanese fear the standoff could turn violent.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa is due in Beirut on Tuesday to meet the rival Lebanese politicians. He held talks on Sunday with leaders in Saudi Arabia, which supports Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government.

"We will cooperate as much as possible with Amr Moussa and wish him luck," opposition leader and former prime minister Omar Karami said in a statement after the opposition announced its demand for a new election law followed by elections.

"But if the governing faction continues with its maneuvers ... and throwing spanners in the works -- naturally the situation cannot stay as it is. Consequently, there is no escape from a studied escalation," Karami said.

The opposition has been staging a round-the-clock protest in central Beirut since December 1 to press its demands for a national unity government in which it would have veto power.

Siniora's cabinet, which is also backed by the United States, has so far refused to yield to the opposition's demands, saying this would give way to more Syrian and Iranian influence.

The opposition said it was now demanding "first of all ... a new law for parliamentary elections and secondly ... early parliamentary elections."

Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun said the opposition would escalate protests in the streets after the festive season if their demands were not met. He did not say how.

Aoun accused Siniora of foiling Moussa's initiative.

Siniora's cabinet came to office last year after the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon. The withdrawal was brought about by international pressure and mass protests triggered by the assassination of Rafik al-Hariri.

Many Lebanese blame Syria for the killing of the former prime minister. Damascus denies involvement.

The anti-Syrian leaders say the opposition's main goal is to derail plans for an international tribunal to try suspects in the Hariri assassination. Hezbollah says it supports the idea of the tribunal and wants to discuss the details.

U.S. senators John Kerry and Christopher Dodd held talks with Siniora and other Lebanese officials in Beirut on Monday, a day before they travel to Syria for talks with officials.

(Reporting by Beirut bureau)