Miqati Announces Resignation, Urges Salvation Govt. to 'Pull Lebanon Out of the Unknown'
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Friday announced his resignation after a cabinet session in which he failed to pass the extension of Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi's term and the formation of the committee to oversee the elections, stressing that all political forces must shoulder their responsibilities to “pull Lebanon out of the unknown.”
“I'm addressing you today as a brother, hoping my speech will lead to a better security and economic situation in Lebanon,” Miqati said in a televised address to the nation.
“I'm addressing you while my city (Tripoli) is bleeding and bidding farewell to martyrs, the city that I always want to see at the forefront of all cities,” Miqati added.
“From the very first moment I began my political career, I've been trying to seek solutions and I never hesitated in exerting efforts to protect the country,” said Miqati.
The premier stressed that he exerted all efforts possible “for the sake of a free country.”
“Today, while we were discussing the issue of holding the elections, I realized that renewal and pumping blood into the veins of the political life are a national duty,” he said.
Miqati also voiced support for approving a new electoral law and holding elections on time.
Counting reasons behind his resignation, Miqati said “it seems that no new law will be approved within the constitutional timeframe and the formation of the committee to oversee the elections was impeded.”
“I found out that it is necessary for Maj. Gen. Rifi to carry on with his duties in order to protect the (ISF) institution,” he added.
Miqati said he found himself obligated to “take a stance of conscience in order to allow dialogue to take place.”
He underlined that dialogue is the “only way to rescue Lebanon,” calling for the formation of a salvation government.
“I tried as much as possible to distance Lebanon from the fierce storms and to preserve the balance,” Miqati noted.
“I kept the channels of communication open and overcame the smear campaigns because the country is the most precious thing,” said Miqati.
He revealed that he had thought about resigning twice. “The first was over the financing of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the second upon the martyrdom of Maj. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan,” he added.
“I have hope in my mind and heart because through our solidarity, we can push our country away from the edge of strife,” said Miqati.
22 March 2013, 21:52
55
Well basically if there was no outside influence from various nations, Lebanon wouldn't be in this mess to begin with. Let's hope for stability and for once a Lebanon not revolving around other powers and their "moods"
22 March 2013, 21:55
62
So what does this all mean ?
6 months to create a new govt ?.. What about elections ?
22 March 2013, 22:00
28
i think its time we all rule our selves without them. I am sure we will nit steal as much as they did!!!
22 March 2013, 22:09
00
crap this means that gebran bassil and nicolas sehnaoui won't be able to comisyange like they've been comisyanging since summer 2011, it also means that chantal and paila will have to settle for a staycation this summer
22 March 2013, 22:39
00
Lebanon must unite. We must not compromise. We must open dialogue with each other and be loving friends and stop the stealing and corruption, and must do something to have electricity 24hrs, cheap housing for young couples, roads not broken, and reduce traffic, red lights that work, people who respect laws, traffic, and don't shoot at each other, restaurants don't feed us expired food and bad quality at high prices, girls should stop doing silicon and too much make up and be less presumptuous and less materialistic and more fun and INTERESTING, put at stop at pompous men who smoke cigars and make bad example to our children, and and and please someone continue. I want visa out of here. Helpppppppp.
22 March 2013, 22:51
55
The worst government in this country's history, but you have to hand to Miqati, he was working with a den of thieves and had to deal with infighting among the so called allies and tried his best. After a while though, it was best to move on because it was a lost cause.
22 March 2013, 22:55
54
Sulieman must accept the resignation before it is done and even if he does, then Mikati stays on as a caretaker PM. And how big a change is that from what he has been since Hezbollah installed him in January 2011?? He has been a caretaker for Hezbollah, hasn't he??
22 March 2013, 23:02
00
Hey why didn't you post my comment? how would you like someone outside your paper having to approve everything you write!!
22 March 2013, 23:18
55
No PM, no police chief.... Tensions in tripoli. No coincidences, it stinks civil war.... Cross my fingers I'm wrong for everyone's sake.
22 March 2013, 23:18
00
i think in ..Lebanon ...we should have 3 provincial governments..
1 _ 1 government for north Lebanon
2_ another for south
3_ one for mount Lebanon and Bekaa
like in Canada or some other places ...
this way if conflicts arise ..the whole country would not be stuck...
plus we can have 3 ports ...where every gov can impose its own economic rules and regulation ...
because we in the south here... we do not like to buy american or British products ...so we want our own economic regulations and our own tax rates
22 March 2013, 23:31
40
Clashes renewed on all frontiers in Tripoli amid the firing of RPGs and gunshots and sniper activity.
23 March 2013, 01:43
13
before another May 7, the FSA will get involved this time, get yourselves ready for a real fight...
23 March 2013, 02:08
13
mfawaz .... power corrupt and your war-mongering bravado talk is a manifestation of that. Humility of the strong and pride of the weak are foreign notions to Arabs unfortunately which results in ongoing upheavals and fighting. Once the strong learns to empathize with the other side and seek fairness for all is when we start moving forward and upward as a nation and as people.
23 March 2013, 04:10
00
Nothing happens by chance, wait and see the true nature of this resignation. The move will come from Aoun the mouth piece for HA.
I,m dreading to see Bassil again and his childish grin gather a few thieves around him and make a speech.
23 March 2013, 11:03
00
Dear Canadian,
It just stands to show he's actually doing something right if both sides don't want him. That means there's a small chance for people who don't want to be represented by either deranged side. And resigning when the entire nation constantly blames you for all its wrongdoings is understandable. Throughout the majority of our entire history, we have badgered and bullied every Prime Minister that has gone into power. When the biggest problem today is us, the people, who constantly whine, settle for either side, and expect some sort of groundbreaking change to take place.
10 February 2016, 15:03
00
Interesting article . I was fascinated by the details - Does someone know if my company could acquire a template a form copy to type on ?
