US welcomes Karami's resignation

The US has welcomed the resignation of the Lebanese government led by Omar Karami and considered that this step represents what it called an opportunity to elect a new government that reflects pluralism in Lebanon, to be formed apart from any foreign intervention.

The spokesman for the White House Scott McClellan renewed his call on Syria to implement UN Security Council resolution provides for the withdrawal of the Syrian forces and intelligence from Lebanon until free and transparent elections are ensured.

However, Damascus considered that the resignation of Karami's government is an internal Lebanese matter. Syrian sources said that Lebanon has constitutional channels enabling it to deal with the current situation.

Lebanon's President Emil Lahoud accepted the resignation of Karami's government and asked him to continue as a caretaker government. Rafik Shalala, the media advisor for the Lebanese presidency, said in statements to al-Jazeera TV that Emil Lahoud started parliamentary elections, according to the constitution in order to discuss the formation of a new government.