Suleiman Accepts from Miqati Govt. Resignation, Tasking it with Caretaking Role
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.
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