The Lebanese domino just fell. Let's summarize the tally thus far: Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Lebanon. Who's next? tejek, Elroy, and John keep claiming failure, yet one by one these Middle Eastern countries are charging towards Democracy, as a direct result of Bush's actions in the Middle East...
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news.bbc.co.uk
Lebanese ministers resign office
Omar Karami arriving at parliament on 28/02/05
Mr Karami denies any involvement in the attack on Mr Hariri
Lebanon's Prime Minister Omar Karami has announced he and his government are resigning, two weeks after the murder of former PM Rafik Hariri.
The move came as crowds protested in Beirut, calling for Syrian troops to leave the country.
The Lebanese parliament was also debating an opposition-sponsored motion of no-confidence in the government.
"I am keen the government will not be a hurdle in front of those who want the good for this country," Mr Karami said.
"I declare the resignation of the government that I had the honour to head. May God preserve Lebanon."
His announcement came after a break in the parliamentary debate, which was being televised live.
A cheer went up among more than 10,000 protesters who had gathered in Martyrs Square to demand the resignation of the government and the withdrawal of Syrian troops.
They had defied a ban on demonstrations, which Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh said had been made on the grounds of "supreme national interests".
'Internal affair'
Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud accepted the resignation of the government and asked it to continue in a caretaker capacity, a statement said.
Syria's immediate reaction was non-committal, saying only that it was "an internal affair" for Lebanon.
Both Mr Karami's government and the Syrian government have been accused of involvement in the 14 February assassination of Mr Hariri - charges they deny.
Earlier, Mr Karami - who took office after Mr Hariri resigned last year - said those who accused his government of involvement in the killing "committed a grave injustice".
Before the debate opened, MPs observed a minute's silence in memory of Mr Hariri. "I accuse this government of incitement, negligence and shortcomings at the least, and of covering up its planning at the most... if not executing," the attack, said former minister Marwan Hamadeh.
We want to see free and fair elections take place [in Lebanon] this spring
David Satterfield
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
Protesters were able to watch the live debate from giant TV screens in Beirut's Martyrs Square. Many had spent the night in the square, wrapped in blankets or under tents, before the ban came into force at 0500 (0300 GMT).
But, despite army checkpoints around the city, people were still able to get to the square throughout the day and the protest was passing off peacefully, said our correspondent.
Many schools and businesses remained shut across the country, following a call by the opposition for a general strike.
Troop withdrawal
Earlier, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Satterfield met Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud.
He said he reiterated Washington's demand that Syria comply with UN resolution 1559, passed in September, calling for the withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon.
"We want to see free and fair elections take place [in Lebanon] this spring," he said.
Rafik Hariri
The current crisis was sparked by the murder of Mr Hariri
"It's important that steps take place on the ground prior to those elections including the beginning of the implementation of Resolution 1559."
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa has rejected calls for a full withdrawal from Lebanon, saying this is something not even the Lebanese want.
Damascus said last week that it would draw it troops back from western Lebanon to areas nearer the Syrian border, though it did not specify when. |
