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
Long overdue change in Lebanon. Now what can be done for the thousands upon thousands of expatriate Lebanese Christians who were forced out by the Syrians and Palestinians? What can be done for the families of the thousands and thousands of Lebanese Christians who were killed? Will anyone other than Syria have a say in who leads the next government?
I should add that Lebanese expatriate Christians I have met hate the Syrians and Palestinians with a passion and are very pro-America and pro-Israel.
All I can say is WoW! And keep my fingers crossed..........
The decision marks the first time in modern history an Arab government falls in the wake of popular pressure.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people gathered outside the parliament building and waved Lebanese flags in celebration.
And John Kerry was heard to say: "Let's not over-hype this event."
Strategerie works!
Who is this "John Kerry" fellow you speak of?!?
And the Golan Hieghts will no longer be used to launch missiles into Israel. Now THAT'S a Peace Process!
A famous windsurfer.
Do you mean there was some misunderestimating going on?
the lebanese,israelis and iraqi's have simply had enough..
hey UN? kiss my arse putos!
Ping............
As a Lebanese Christian I am happy to see my muslim compatriots join in asking for the withdrawal of Syria in one voice. We have all suffered terribly and my heart only contains joy and forgiveness as lebanon moves on its way to independence. I hope and pray it happens peacefully.
Probably.
They are hanging black crepe and white lilies at the NYTimes.
John Kerry is so depressed, he splurged on a new metrosexual biking outfit.
Bashar el-Assad just shat his pants.
Howard Dean, did what Howard Dean does. He screamed.
Ping!
Peacefully would be wonderful, but hixbollah is still there .....the thugs will take some action....
The Lebanese Bishops believe that expatriates should be allowed to vote in the next election, much like the Iraqi expatriates.
I don't know what that is, but please don't show me any pictures.
related, a bit earlier:
Just in: Lebanese (pro-Syrian) government resigns
http://www.cnn.com | 28 February 2005 | CNN
Posted on 02/28/2005 8:57:15 AM PST by Eurotwit
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1352730/posts
The main threat to the Southern Lebanese Christians who have been abandoned by Barak's government are the Shi'ite and Iran supported Hezb'ollah. Until they are ruling Southern Lebanon and until the Lebanese army ans security forces take control in those parts, there will be no peace and security for the Lebanese Christians or Israel, for that matter.
I hope and pray it happens peacefully as well, but knowing the Syrians, I doubt it. They will say all the right things, but they are just playing for time. In the end, the Labanese people may need to evict Syria forcefully. Hopefully that effort will have some help.
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