Karami announces the resignation of the Lebanese government

The Lebanese prime minister Omar Karami on Monday evening announced the resignation of his government following strong pressures practiced by the opposition since the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri.

Karami said that his government has resigned in order not to be an obstacle after the assassination of Hariri. He said he announces his resignation though he knows he will obtain confidence should voting be made by the parliament over his government.

In his speech, Karami said that obstructing political life in Lebanon waiting for the result of the investigation is not useful. The prime minister called on all parties to cooperate to hold parliamentary elections in their due time so as to avoid any constitutional vacuum.

He said that the Lebanese government is for the implementation of the Taif accord in text and spirit, calling on the opposition to maintain dialogue in order to enhance national cohesion. Karami said during the session that launching political accusations to hold the government criminally responsible is the utmost of irresponsibility.

The resigned prime minister also called for building the relation with Syria on the ground of common interests and remarkable partnership in confrontation of the "Zionist enemy." He indicated that conditions in the region and developments taking place in Iraq, warning against the consequences of exploiting national demands as an element to serve foreign interests which have no relation to the Lebanese question.