DOHA - Lebanese President Michel Sleiman on Monday began a two-day visit to Qatar to discuss economic cooperation and a May accord reached in Doha to end a protracted political crisis in Lebanon.

Sleiman was greeted by Qatar's emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and top aides, the official QNA news agency.

Lebanese officials said Sleiman will discuss with his Qatari hosts the implementation of the Doha accord, which was struck on May 21 between Lebanon's rival political factions, as well as economic cooperation.

The agreement paved the way for the election of Sleiman on May 25 and a new national unity government was set up in July in line with the accord.

The Doha agreement put an end to an 18-month political crisis in Lebanon, and came after deadly factional fighting that pushed the country to the brink of renewed civil war.

Hezbollah, which leads Lebanon's Syrian-backed opposition, has repeatedly said its weaponry is not up for discussion and is needed to defend the country against Israel.