Lebanese MP Mohammed Raad who represents Hezbollah at the Doha discussions has said the issue of Hezbollah arms is non-negotiable.

In an interview with the Hezbollah-owned al-Manar TV, Raad said, "We are flexible, but not at the expense of our constants."

He noted, "We will not raise the ceiling of our conditions, but no one can force us to lower the ceiling of our conditions, upon which the opposition agrees."

Raad said the issues of the resistance and Hezbollah arms are non-negotiable.

"We are negotiating the world ... the resistance and its weapons are not included in the Doha talks," Raad told al-Manar TV.

Raad denied the existence of a final agreement as yet, but added that there was consensus on certain issues. The MP ruled out any agreement short of an "integrated basket," including the formation of a national unity government and the adoption of an electoral law.

"We understand the circumstances of some (parties), and have shown some flexibility, but no result can be reached if measures to satisfy some (parties) are adopted," Raad noted.

Commenting on the same issue, Hezbollah MP Hussein Hajj Hassan said, "This issue is not under discussion and is not up for discussion on the table of dialogue in Doha,"

He went on to say, "They are trying to raise this issue for their own private calculations which are mistaken anyway."

Although the issue of Hezbollah arms was not originally on the agenda of Doha talks, the ruling Lebanese coalition insisted to include the issue -- an attempt which might undermine the outcome of the talks and obstruct solution of the crisis.

Qatar invited the Lebanese rivals to Doha for talks to end a broad political standoff that has paralyzed government for 18 months and left Lebanon without a president since November.

MSH/BGH