Beirut - Arab League Secretary general Amr Mussa arrived in beirut Monday to take part in national dialogue talks sponsored by President Michel Suleiman.

Mussa told reporters that the league's role "is to narrow the gap separating the various Lebanese factions."

The dialogue, scheduled for Tuesday at the Baabda Palace, was "an additional important step along the march to a lasting settlement in Lebanon," Mussa said.

"There are difficulties and tomorrow (Tuesday) is just the beginning of discussing all issues.."

President Suleiman set September 16 as the starting date for the dialogue to try to mend fences between the rival Lebanese leaders and discuss the fate of Hezbollah.

UN resolution 1701, which ended 33 days of war between Israel and Hezbollah in August 2006, called on the Lebanese government to disarm all militias in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, and expand its control on all Lebanese territories. (dpa)