FACTBOX: After deal, Lebanon faces divisive issues

(Reuters) - Rival Lebanese leaders reached a deal on Wednesday to resolve disputes over a new cabinet and a law for 2009 parliamentary elections, defusing a political crisis that has pushed the country to the brink of civil war.

Many of the differences at the heart of the crisis remain:

HEZBOLLAH'S WEAPONS, U.N. RESOLUTION 1559

Hezbollah's arsenal has been at the heart of Lebanon's political crisis. The group's military routing of its rivals in the ruling coalition this month has amplified critics' demands for an end to Hezbollah's armed status.

The Shi'ite Muslim group, backed by Syria and Iran, was the only Lebanese faction permitted to keep its weapons after the 1975-1990 civil war so that it could fight Israeli forces occupying south Lebanon. Israel withdrew in 2000 and some Lebanese started to call for the group to disarm. More powerful than any other Lebanese faction, Hezbollah says it needs the weapons to defend Lebanon from Israel and will only consider giving them up as part of a national defense strategy. Critics say Hezbollah's arsenal precludes the construction of a strong Lebanese state.

According to the Arab League-mediated deal that ended fighting among the factions this month, the issue will be discussed by the leaders in a dialogue chaired by a new president.

Previous talks on the issue collapsed in 2006.

U.N. Security Council resolution 1559 issued in 2004 called for the disarmament of all militias in the country -- a clear reference to Hezbollah.

RELATIONS WITH SYRIA