Ban Stresses the Need for Lebanese Unity after Miqati Resignation
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged on Friday all sides in Lebanon to unite behind President Michel Suleiman in light of the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Miqati.
He called on all Lebanese factions to unite and cooperate with state institutions in order to maintain stability and respect the Baabda Declaration.
In addition, he hoped that the people would support the army and security forces in bolstering national unity, sovereignty, and security.
Ban also called on Lebanese parties to maintain their policy of "disassociation" from the Syrian conflict, U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said in a statement released late Friday.
Miqati 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.
Suleiman accepted the government's resignation on Saturday, tasking it with a caretaker role.
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