EU Worried after Miqati's Resignation

by Naharnet Newsdesk 23 March 2013, 13:39

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton voiced concern Saturday over the "deteriorating situation" in Lebanon following the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Miqati the previous day.

A statement issued by her office said Ashton "expresses concern at the deteriorating situation in Lebanon" after Miqati's decision to step down.

Regretting the political stalemate over domestic issues that led to the premier's resignation, Ashton also expressed worries over security incidents undermining stability and said the presence of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees placed a heavy burden on the country.

"The EU will pursue its support to the institutions, to the security forces and to the people of Lebanon to respond to the current challenges in the spirit of our long-standing partnership," her statement said.

Miqati announced the resignation of his government on Friday, citing divisions on several domestic issues, and called for the formation of a national unity government.

SourceAgence France Presse Naharnet

Politics Lebanon

Comments 4

chrisrushlau 23 March 2013, 18:06

Baroness Ashton thus emphasized her support for the confessional system in Lebanon whereby the Christian minority, of some twenty or thirty percent of the population, is given half the seats in Parliament. The March 14 coalition, of mainly Christian parties, received 45% of the vote in the last general election and was given 55% of the seats in Parliament. The March 8 coalition, including Hezbullah, got the converse numbers. And yet Hezbullah was the main strength of Miqati's government, perhaps because at least half of Lebanese are Shias. So Europe is once again defining itself as "futility".

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helicopter 23 March 2013, 18:42

If you discount citizens whose loyalty is to Iran, Christians will be a majority. You have a one track mind and it is not Lebanese.

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helicopter 24 March 2013, 00:23

the1phoenix...... I agree with you 100% but frankly I like the old more upbeat phoenix. Try to keep the hope alive. Sometimes commenting on this forum is like raising a teen-ager. You do not think your guidance is making a difference but few years down the line you see the result of what persistence. patience and hope will always be better than the alternative.

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