09-10-2009, 01:37 PM
|
 |
Don't Question Me!
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Odd Bins
Posts: 4,281
|
|
Saad Hariri steps down as Lebanon's political crisis continues
Quote:
Lebanon entered a new chapter of political uncertainty today as prime minister-designate Saad Hariri stepped down after the Hezbollah-led opposition rejected his proposed cabinet.
Hariri had been trying since June to form a government but his efforts were foiled by disputes over the distribution of top ministries. This week, he named his own cabinet list, which was swiftly rejected by the opposition.
His resignation will prolong Lebanon's political crisis which in May saw Hezbollah fighters stage an armed takeover of parts of Beirut, tipping the country to the brink of civil war. With Hariri backed by regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Hezbollah allied to Saudi's great rival, Iran, Lebanon's political conflict is often considered a bellwether for the region's balance of power.
"I hope that this decision will be in the interests of Lebanon and will permit a relaunch of dialogue," Hariri said, just three months after his western-backed coalition won convincing re-election over the Syrian and Iranian-backed opposition.
Leaders on each side accused their opponents of breaking the terms of Lebanon's consensus democracy.
"This real opportunity to form a cabinet was lost in preconditions," said Hariri, who is widely expected to be reappointed prime minister once cabinet negotiations resume. "We had rounds and rounds of consultations and it always ended with no result."
In turn, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Hariri's coaltion had "not made a single concession at all".
Nasrallah rejected accusations by Hariri supporters that Hezbollah was delaying the government's formation while it waited for the dust to settle on the domestic political turmoil in Iran.
|
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009...esigns-lebanon
__________________
__________
'Do I look like I was born Yesterday?' 'Not unless you age at the speed of light!'
|
Linear Mode
