BEIRUT, Lebanon - The head of Lebanon's anti-Syrian parliamentary majority Saad Hariri was hopeful Friday that his meeting with pro- Syrian House Speaker Nabih Berri might end the country's political crisis.

After a four-hour overnight meeting, the office of both leaders issued a statement indicating that the first face-to-face meeting between Hariri and Berri in four months 'might bring tangible solutions to end the political and economic crisis in the country.'

'During the meeting several points were agreed on, but some points still need more discussions,' the statement indicated, adding that both leaders had agreed to continue their discussions during a meeting 'which will be held very soon.'

The political crisis has divided the country and paralyzed its economy.

A government source, who did not wish to be named, said 'a solution to the Lebanese crisis might be reached before the Arab Summit meeting on March 28-29 in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.'

The meeting between Berri, a Shiite Moslem, and Hariri, a Sunni, was considered significant in light of its impact on public opinion, whose patience was wearing thin under pressure of the stalemated crisis.

Berri, leader of the Shiite Amal movement, is also a key partner in the Lebanese opposition led by Hezbollah. The two Shiite parties are Syria's main allies in Lebanon.

Hariri leads the anti-Syrian and pro-government majority which includes Moslem and Christian parties.

A well-informed political source said Friday, Berri and Hariri were considering proposals for solving the country's political crisis.

The crisis was caused by the opposition's demand for a national unity government and reservations about an interntional tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of Hariri's father, former five- time premier Rafik Hariri in 2005.

One of the proposals for a new government under consideration provided for a 30-member cabinet divided into 19 portfolios for the majority, 10 for the opposition and one independent, the source said.

According to the source, the name of the independent minister would be chosen by Saudi Arabia, 'since all the parties have accepted and recognized the kingdom's mediation efforts in the Lebanese political crisis.'

Sources close to Prime Minister Fouad Seniora said, 'the numbers of the ministers are not important. What is important is agreement on the basic issues.'

Since Hariri was assassinated, Lebanon has been engulfed in the worst political crisis.

The crisis has worsened since December 1, 2006, when the pro- Syrian opposition decided to stage an open-ended strike in downtown Beirut to force Seniora's western-backed government to resign.

The opposition on January 22 escalated its moves by calling for a one-day strike, which led to street clashes that killed six people and wounded 200 others.

'The meeting of Berri and Hariri marks an easing of tensions that have spilled over into sporadic lethal sectarian clashes. The problem still needs more work, but the direction is positive,' a source close to Berri said.

In November, all Shiite ministers resigned from the cabinet.

A key demand for the ruling coalition is the tribunal, which has yet to be ratified by parliament, and the opposition fears it may be used as a political tool in its current form.

'The discussion between the two leaders also touched on the tribunal and points that need to be discussed before the final ratification,' the source said.

Meanwhile, a source close to the opposition, who did not wish to elaborate, said Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki might be coming to Beirut later Friday to hold talks with various Lebanese leaders.

Syria and Iran are close allies of Hezbollah. -Agencies