Government of Karami resigns, demonstrations today pro and against French, American intervention in Lebanese affairs

Representatives of pro- Syria Lebanese parties and societies called for demonstration today, Monday, in Beirut in protest of what they called the French- American intervention in the Lebanese internal affairs.

In a statement circulated on Saturday evening, the supporters considered that the visit of the American official at the US Department Of State, David Satterfield, on Saturday to Lebanon is "a defiance for Lebanon's dignity and people." The statement which was issued in conclusion of the meeting which was held at the headquarters if the Press Union in Beirut considered that this visit is "a perpetuation for a flagrant foreign intervention in the Lebanese affairs and a violation to the Lebanese sovereignty," considering that this "visit prepares for placing Lebanon under the foreign mandate and preparing David Satterfield to be the Paul Bremer of Lebanon."

The statement called for receiving "Bremer of Lebanon" and resisting what they called those who trade in the blood of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri.

The demonstration is due to start from near the tomb of Hariri towards al-Najma Square. For its part, the Lebanese opposition for the Syrian presence called for a similar demonstration in the same place and same time.

At the governmental level, the Lebanese parliament is expected to witness a debate in which the opposition parliamentarian will raise the issue of vote for confidence in the government of Prime minister Omar Karami. Meantime, Karami gave has resignation, amid protest calling for Syrian pull-out from Lebanon. The Associated Press reported that "President Lahoud quickly accepted the resignation of Karami's 4-month-old Cabinet - which replaced Hariri's government - and asked Karami to stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed."