Posted on 02/28/2005 10:09:44 AM PST by anotherview
By Roee Nachmias and Ali Waked
Lebanon's Syrian-backed Prime Minister Omar Karami, who has been facing growing popular pressure following the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, said on Monday his government was resigning.
Resigning Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karami
Photo: AFP
"Out of concern that the government does not become an obstacle to the good of the country, I announce the resignation of the government I had the honor to lead," Karami told parliament in Beirut.
The decision marks the first time in modern history an Arab government falls in the wake of popular pressure.
Lebanese protestors celebrating
Photo: CNN
Demonstrations against Hariri murder
Photo: AFP
Parliament members left the special session immediately after the resignation announcement.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people gathered outside the parliament building and waved Lebanese flags in celebration.
"This is the first time in Lebanon's history that the government falls," one opposition member told the masses, who responded with anti-Syria calls.
Victory for opposition
The Lebanese al-Mustaqbal television station, which was owned by Hariri, began broadcasting joyful music accompanied by live pictures from the main demonstration in Beirut's Martyrs Square.
The thousands of demonstrators protesting at the Square received the news of the resignation with cries of joy. The protestors have been at the square since early night hours, despite a protest ban declared by the Lebanese government
The government's resignation marks a clear victory for opposition forces in Lebanon, which have called for an investigation into the Hariri murder and for Syrian withdrawal from the country.
Lebanese opposition spokespersons said the government's decision is the first achievement en route to an inquiry into Hariri's assassination and the liberation of Lebanon from the Syrian occupation.
'This government is imaginary'
Earlier, opposition officials exchanged harsh words with outgoing Prime Minister Karami during the parliament session and claimed the government was not a sovereign one.
Parliament member and former Economy and Trade Minister Marwan Hamadeh, who survived an assassination attempt in October, delivered an unprecedented, harsh speech, which was aired on Arab television stations and stirred great interest.
"This government is imaginary and its members are imaginary," he said. "Hariri was killed back when they prevented him from being a prime minister and incited against him and claimed only money interested him."
-Reuters also contributed to this report
First Published: 02.28.05, 19:10
Latest Update: 02.28.05, 19:31
I don't know enough about the Lebanese situation to form an intelligent opinion, but I can hope.
Until they are ruling = As long as
Sorry, the English language is too hard.
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