Karami Fails to Form New Government

13/04/2005| IslamWeb

Lebanon's Prime Minister Umar Karami has said he was stepping down after failing to form a new government.

"Today, and after many attempts ... once again we reached a dead end," he told a news conference at his residence in Beirut on Wednesday.

"That's why I am confirming my decision to excuse myself."

Pro-Syria Karami's decision to step down six weeks after his reappointment heightens a political crisis that has left the country without a government since 28 February.

His move could seriously undermine the chances of holding parliamentary elections before the expiry of the current legislature's term on 31 May.

A cabinet is needed to call an election.

Conflicting demands

At the press conference, Karami insisted that there was still time to hold elections as scheduled in May.

The formation of a new government was held up first by a deadlock between the pro-Syrian leadership and the opposition.

It has been delayed in the last few days by divisions within the pro-Syrian camp over cabinet seats.

Karami said he made his decision because of "conflicting demands" among the politicians.

He refused to elaborate but added that a five-hour meeting on Monday with President Emile Lahud and parliament Speaker Nabih Birri failed to resolve last-minute hurdles.

He said he submitted his written decision to step down to the president after that meeting but did not immediately announce it in the hope that contacts would resolve the differences.

PHOTO CAPTION

Omar Karami is pictured in Beirut on March 30. (Reuters)