Lebanon moves to reinstate premier

[norml]

Posted 3/9/2005 9:29 PM Updated 3/9/2005 10:41 PM



Lebanon moves to reinstate premier
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese legislators ignored weeks of anti-government protests and on Wednesday moved to reinstall the pro-Syrian prime minister forced out last week. The move ensured the Syrian government will continue its dominance in Lebanon but risked domestic and international condemnation.

Outgoing Prime Minister Omar Karami was virtually assured nomination by 71 of 128 legislators.
Mahmoud Tawil, AP

Outgoing Prime Minister Omar Karami was virtually assured nomination after 71 of 128 legislators put forward his name during consultations with President Emile Lahoud, 78 of the legislators said. Under the constitution, the president is obliged to comply with the choice of the majority of legislators.

The parliament members' support for Karami came a day after a protest by an estimated 500,000 pro-Syrian demonstrators in Beirut. In Damascus, thousands participated in a government-sanctioned rally in support of President Bashar Assad on Wednesday.

The strong support for Syria's continuing presence in Beirut and Damascus countered daily anti-government protests that erupted after former prime minister Rafik Hariri's assassination on Feb. 14. The opposition, including anti-Syrian leader Walid Jumblatt, blames the Lebanese government and pro-Syrian elements for Hariri's murder. Both deny involvement.

The demonstrations forced the government to resign and put pressure on Syria to redeploy its roughly 15,000 forces in Lebanon. The pullback of Syrian forces and intelligence agents to the Bekaa Valley began Monday, after Lahoud and Assad announced that the troops would move. The leaders will negotiate on a withdrawal in the future.


snip

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-03-09-lebanon_x.htm

[bpilgrim]

1. does chimpy get credit for this?

:shrug:

peace

[norml]

2. Lebanese parliament backs Karami as PM

Lebanese parliament backs Karami as PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/3/2005 11:34

The majority of Lebanese lawmakers nominated Wednesday outgoing Prime Minister Omar Karami to head a new government.
Sixty-nine deputies of the 128-seat parliament backed Karami to retain his post after consultations with President Emile Lahoud.
Former parliament speaker Nabih Beri told reporters he nominated Karami to form a national unity and salvation government to handle the imminent threats facing Lebanon at present.
Beri described the current situation as "critical," saying the new government should not exclude anybody.
In response, Karami said he would consider whether to accept the nomination.
Opposition lawmakers, however, did not nominate anyone, but handing Lahoud a list of demands instead.
snip

http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/world/userobject1ai925783.html

[zanana]

3. Omar Karami returns to PM position

Comeback for pro-Syria Lebanon PM

Lebanon has seen huge rival demonstrations
Lebanon's president has asked the pro-Syrian former prime minister to form a new government, 10 days after he resigned amid anti-Syrian protests. http://news.bbc.uk/

That didn't take long, did it? I saw this on BBC news this morning at 6:00, but I haven't seen mention of it on US media yet. Wonder if they're waiting until Friday.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. Our press stenographers...

Seem to have gotten another one wrong. Again.

Is it any wonder that the blogs exist?

[Ilsa]

5. NPR covered it this morning.

MSNBC has an article, but you have to search through the menus to find it: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7023538/ The Today Show is more concerned with whether Russell Crowe was the object of an Al Qaeda kidnapping threat (not) and Michael Jackson. I haven't bothered looking anywhere else.

[Spazito]

6. It is being reported in Canada as well...

Pro-Syria Karami reappointed as Lebanon's PM

BEIRUT - Lebanon's president reappointed Omar Karami as the nation's prime minister Thursday, 10 days after massive street protests forced him to resign.

Staunchly pro-Syrian, Karami resigned last week after demonstrators filled the streets of Beirut protesting Syrian interference in Lebanese affairs.

Karami will lead Lebanon until national elections are held in May.

His first move on Thursday was to call for a national unity government, inviting opposition members to join.

more

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/03/10/lebanon-karami050310.html