Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati may step down from office leaving Lebanon in political turmoil. (Reuters)
Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced his resignation on Friday after Shi'ite group Hezbollah and its allies blocked the extension of Internal Security Forces chief's term in office and the creation of a body to supervise parliamentary elections.
"I announce the resignation of the government, hoping that this will open the way for the major political blocs to take responsibility and come together to bring Lebanon out of the unknown," Mikati said.
Mikati was appointed premier in 2011 after the Shi'ite group Hezbollah and its allies brought down the unity government of Saad al-Hariri.
During his two years in office he has sought to insulate his country from the civil war in neighboring Syria which deepened Lebanon's own sectarian tensions and led to street battles in the northern city of Tripoli.
Al-Nahar columnist Ali Hamada told Al Arabiya television that the resignation of Mikati would exacerbate the state of political imbalances in the country and is likely to worsen tensions between Hezbollah and its rivals.
Future Movement official former MP Moustafa Allouch, said Mikati's resignation "came very late and will not change much in the country's political dynamics.
"It will not save the destructive course of the government, which is led by Syria's ally Hezbollah," he said, adding that the Shiite movement has to distance itself from the violence in Syria in order for the country to focus on itself.
"I announce the resignation of the government, hoping that this will open the way for the major political blocs to take responsibility and come together to bring Lebanon out of the unknown," Mikati said.
Mikati was appointed premier in 2011 after the Shi'ite group Hezbollah and its allies brought down the unity government of Saad al-Hariri.
During his two years in office he has sought to insulate his country from the civil war in neighboring Syria which deepened Lebanon's own sectarian tensions and led to street battles in the northern city of Tripoli.
Al-Nahar columnist Ali Hamada told Al Arabiya television that the resignation of Mikati would exacerbate the state of political imbalances in the country and is likely to worsen tensions between Hezbollah and its rivals.
Future Movement official former MP Moustafa Allouch, said Mikati's resignation "came very late and will not change much in the country's political dynamics.
"It will not save the destructive course of the government, which is led by Syria's ally Hezbollah," he said, adding that the Shiite movement has to distance itself from the violence in Syria in order for the country to focus on itself.
23 Mar, 2013
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