BEIRUT, Lebanon - Lebanon currently faces an important crossroads, whose outcome decides whether or not a three month-old political crisis would be resolved or more political unrest is on the way.

The second face-to-face meeting between the leader of the Future parliamentary majority, MP Saad Al-Hariri and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, which took place last week gave a dose of optimism to the weary Lebanese people.

This sign of optimism required follow-up contacts between the two political camps, to which the two men belong.

This is why a third meeting between the two men is expected once Al-Hariri returns from his current trip to the UAE, provided appropriate consultations with the political allies of each side precede such a meeting.

Meanwhile, Berri announced that he has been seeking with Berri for a political "road map," that could be reached prior to the end of March Arab summit, which is due to be held in Riyadh.

A political source told the Kuwait News Agency that discussions between the two men have focused mainly on forming a new government consisting of 19 cabinet posts for the majority (Hariri) and 11 others for the opposition. However, this formula is linked to assurances of no resignation by ministers and other assurances regarding the international tribunal, which was agreed upon to try those involved in the murder of Al-Hariri's father, former Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri.

The political crisis was triggered off in November, when the majority rejected a bid by the minority to acquire a third plus one (11 seats) in a 30-seat cabinet.

The crisis was aggravated when the opposition took to the street in its protest against the government and has been occupying most of the Beirut downtown business district for more than three months forcing the majority of commercial establishments there to close down or fire their employees.-Kuna