Expert panel to study hezbollah's arms issue

Beirut: Lebanon's rival political factions have decided to form a committee of experts to study a national defence strategy that could eventually integrate Hezbollah's weapons into the army.

A statement by participants says the decision was reached during a third round of talks hosted on Monday by the Lebanese president.

The talks are part of a deal reached in May that defused a long-running political crisis. A national defence strategy is one of the most divisive issues in Lebanon.

The anti-Syrian bloc wants Hezbollah to give up its arsenal. Hezbollah says its weapons are necessary to protect against Israeli attacks. Talks were adjourned until January 22.