Washington, London criticize Karami's reappointing

The US has criticized the reappointing of the resigned Lebanese prime minister Omar Karami to form a new government. The state department said that Karami's government will not be effective.

It explained that the immediate challenge for the Lebanese government, from the American and international view point, is to respond to the ambitions of the Lebanese to freedom and sovereignty for the sake of a Lebanon free from foreign occupation."

The US stressed the need of foreign withdrawal from the Lebanese lands and making elections "without inciting fear."

For his part, the British foreign minister Jack Straw expressed his regret over re-selecting of the Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karami to form the next government, hoping this government to be a mere interim government. He stressed the need of the ultimate withdrawal of the Syrian forces from Lebanon so as to ensure a transparent and democratic process in Lebanon.

Meantime, the French foreign minister Michael Barnier on Thursday evening said that his country's only aim is "Lebanon's sovereignty and freedom." He added that the French will not remain unconcerned over what is taking place in this country, describing the Lebanese people as friends."