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Charbel from Tripoli: New Govt. Must Be Formed Quickly as Lebanon is in Danger

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel on Saturday called for a speedy formation of a consensual new government, warning that the deadly unrest in the northern city of Tripoli is "very dangerous" and that entire Lebanon is in danger.

“It is the right of the citizen to ask about the measures taken by the Lebanese state concerning the situation in Tripoli, and the state does not only mean the government, but also the administrative and security institutions,” Charbel said at a press conference he held after a security meeting at Tripoli's serail.

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Gemayel Lauds Miqati's 'Brave Decision', Urges National Dialogue

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel on Saturday described Prime Minister Najib Miqati's resignation as “a correct and brave decision,” stressing the need to resume national dialogue sessions.

“We are going through a very difficult period. Either we enter a tunnel that is darker and more difficult than the previous, or we benefit from Miqati's initiative to fulfill the people's wish by forming a salvation government,” Gemayel said in an interview on Radio Voice of Lebanon (100.5).

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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.

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EU Worried after Miqati's Resignation

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.

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Qabbani Urges Residents of North to Cooperate to Avert Unrest

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani stressed on Saturday that Lebanon's security is linked to that of the northern city of Tripoli and the North.

He urged in a statement “the residents of the North to cooperate with each other in order to avoid steering Lebanon towards instability.”

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Aoun Accuses Suleiman of Harming Christian Rights: Miqati Resigned for Silly Reasons

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun stated on Saturday that Prime Minister Najib Miqati's resignation “surprised us and yet didn't,” while accusing President Michel Suleiman of harming the rights of Christians.

He told al-Mada radio: “Miqati resigned for silly reasons.”

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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.

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3 Dead, 4 Hurt in Tripoli Clashes, Army Readies to Enter Jabal Mohsen as Part of Security Plan

Three people were killed and four others were wounded on Saturday as sniper activity and clashes renewed between the rival neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen in the northern city of Tripoli.

"The army is readying to enter Jabal Mohsen and declare that the neighborhood is under its authority ahead of the withdrawal of all fighters from the streets," state-run National News Agency reported.

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Consultations to Form New Govt. Start next Week as Miqati Says Resignation 'Protects Lebanon'

Consultations to form a new government are expected to kick off next week in light of Prime Minister Najib Miqati's resignation on Friday, reported various media outlets Saturday.

The premier told the daily: “I decided to resign because I believe it is the best way to protect Lebanon.”

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Mansour Heads to Qatar to Attend Arab League Summit

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour is expected to travel to Qatar on Saturday to take part in the Arab foreign ministers meeting ahead of an Arab League summit scheduled for next week, reported al-Liwaa newspaper Saturday.

President Michel Suleiman is set to attend the Arab League summit that is scheduled to convene on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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