Lebanon deadlocked ahead of Hizbullah ultimatum

Rival Lebanese politicians failed to agree on Saturday on a Hizbullah demand to form a national unity government, raising fears of a showdown in the streets two days ahead of an ultimatum set by the militant group to reach a deal or face massive protests that threaten to bring down the government. The breakdown of the talks came a day after the government received a draft document setting up an international tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri - another potential land mine in the escalating tensions between the Western-backed government and its opponents.