Hariri: No Alternative to Dialogue to End Lebanon Crisis
VOA News 14 January 2011
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri says Lebanon must use dialogue to end its political crisis.
Mr. Hariri spoke Friday in his first public comment since Hezbollah forced the collapse of his government. He said the country has "no alternative to dialogue."
The caretaker prime minister also pledged to work with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman to form a new government.
Mr. Hariri returned to Beirut Friday after consultations with leaders in the United States, France and Turkey on the political fall out.
On Wednesday, Hezbollah members of parliament and their allies resigned to protest a U.N.-backed investigation into the 2005 assassination his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Media reports say the U.N. tribunal indictments will likely include Hezbollah members. Hezbollah denies involvement in the killing.
Mr. Hariri was meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington when the 11 opposition members of his country's 30-member Cabinet stepped down.
Mr. Suleiman will start consultations Monday with parliamentary blocs to name a new prime minister. On Thursday, he asked Mr. Hariri to remain in a caretaker role until a new Cabinet is formed.
Members of the Shi'ite militia said Thursday the candidacy of Mr. Hariri - Lebanon's Sunni leader - to head a new government is "unacceptable." By Lebanese law, the prime minister must be appointed from the Sunni Muslim sect, the president is a Christian and the speaker of the house a Shi'ite.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
