Suleiman Accepts from Miqati Govt. Resignation, Tasking it with Caretaking Role
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
President Michel Suleiman accepted on Saturday the resignation of the government.
He has since tasked it was assuming a caretaking role until a new government is formed.
The written resignation was submitted to the president by Prime Minister Najib Miqati.
In his resignation letter, the outgoing premier explained that he stepped down from his post “to pave the way for the formation of a national salvation government that would ensure the participation of all political forces and parliamentary blocs.”
“The new government should serve to restore dialogue that the president was and still is seeking,” he added.
“I therefore present my resignation from the government, which I had the honor of heading,” said his letter.
Furthermore, he thanked Suleiman for the efforts he exerted in facilitating the government's work.
After the brief talks at the Baabda Palace, Miqati said: “I did not consult any side before taking the decision to step down from my position.”
“I did not inform anyone of my decision in order to avoid any pressure from any side,” he explained.
“My decision was a personal one,” he revealed.
It is now important that dialogue among the Lebanese begin, he added.
“I hope that the resignation will pave the way for a solution to the political deadlock in the country,” stressed Miqati.
Asked by reporters if he would be willing to head the new government, he responded: “It is too soon to speak of this issue.”
“It is now important for the Lebanese to come together, launch national dialogue, and form a national salvation government during this critical time,” he stressed.
He announced his resignation on Friday night in light of the cabinet's failure to approve the decisions to form of an authority to oversee the parliamentary elections and extend the term of Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi.
He said that all political powers “must assume their responsibilities in order to steer Lebanon away from the unknown.”
Reactions to Miqati's step were mixed with some sides calling for the formation of a salvation government and others condemning his step at such a critical time in the region and ahead of the parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for June 9.
23 March 2013, 10:53
122
Yes ... we have heard this before ... more time with the family ...
23 March 2013, 11:03
92
The banking crisis in Cyprus is now on Lebanon's doorstep. How long foreign depositors keep their money in Lebanese banks is up in the air.
We know one thing for sure ... should Lebanon need the IMF serious hair cuts to checking and savings accounts are on the table ...
Legard has opened Pandora's Box. The trust in the banking system in the EU is crumbling and small countries like Lebanon will become suspect.
The wheels are coming off which is probably why the GCC-US-NATO false flag chemical attack strategy used in Alleppo is being scuttled at the UN.
Putin has already shown foreign banks the door in Russia and has refused to bail out the EUs debacle in Cyprus ... China is conferencing with Russia.
Mikati sees that he will not be able to lead a fractured Lebanon. Unless Lebanon pulls together the future looks very dim indeed.
23 March 2013, 13:28
16
he did Lebanon a favor why should we comment .yesterday he was your ally,today he is your enemy .talk about two faced people .
23 March 2013, 13:51
13
"Caretaking" till the Regime in Syria falls and major changes happen in the Middle East.
23 March 2013, 18:35
02
And what do you propose to steer out of the Syrian orbit? A stronger HA or a stronger Lebanese army and Lebanese State?
23 March 2013, 14:41
04
no, i am one of the thumbdowns, and by God, will never ever be M14.
he said "personal", as opposed to listening to foreign embassies & co (he was nevertheless accused of it earlier today). also, he previously wanted to resign 2x; last time, foreign 'powers' were a major deterrent to his resignation.
he is one of the only 'consensual' candidates in this god forsaken divided country. so think twice before saying "good riddance".
23 March 2013, 16:51
00
Miqati did a fair job but the Syrian situation made things too difficult. The United Staes is opposed to democracy or a fair vote in Lebanon because they want to see Hezbollah destroyed and Hezbollah is in the majority. There cannot be representative voting in Lebanon because that would complicate American/Isreali Plans.
23 March 2013, 18:04
03
that is quite a narrow way of looking at it.
"consensual" as in he neither belongs to godforsaken 14 or 8 (how i hate this dichotomy).
he deserves a gold medal for having put up with one side's whims and the other side's smear campaign. for having put up with leftists who bashed him for being a capitalist & a liar, and with capitalists who bashed him for promising better treatment for the poor. for having put up with Sunnis who didnt think he was Sunni enough, and Nationalists who didnt think he was Lebanese enough. for having put up with anti-Syrians who called him a Hezbollah man, and for pro-Syrians who called him a pro-Salafi and friend of the US & KSA.
and so the list goes on.
so yes, consensual, moderate, centrist... in lebanon, you got to be strong to remain in that position without being bruised from all sides.
here u need to be an extremist to survive.
long live moderation & peace.
23 March 2013, 18:30
12
He acted according to his conscious. I rather have that over someone with no consciuos or whose thinking is imported from abroad. Maybe the humility of the new Pope impacted him while he was in Rome. Maybe he compared a civilized nation to what is happening in Lebanon and got fed up and refused to be part of it. Who knows, I am sure he has good reasons and they are his reasons. I tip my hat for this act of his.
24 March 2013, 08:10
00
Miqati and Sleiman are both weak in face of dangers against Lebanon. One cannot be a centrist in this country. Either be with this side or the other. And please next time, be strong enough to send the army to tripoli and the northern borders to stop extremism of spreading because now Hezbollah fighters are moving to syria and Sunni-salafi extremists are moving in and out as well. Dont u love this jungle that Lebanon is?
