Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati at Baabda Palace on March 23, 2013
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman has called on Prime Minister Najib Mikati to stay on in a caretaking role after he formally accepted the outgoing premier’s resignation.
Lebanese newspaper Daily Star reported on Saturday that the president would set a date for holding parliamentary talks over naming a prime minister-designate next week.
“Prime Minister Najib Mikati handed President Michel Sleiman [Saturday] at Baabda Palace the letter of resignation of his government and [Sleiman] asked him to continue as caretaker until the formation of a new government,” said the president’s office in a statement.
Following his talks with the president, Mikati also reiterated that his decision to step down was “a personal one” aimed at preparing the ground for a national dialogue that would bring about a “salvation cabinet.”
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement and called on the Lebanese to unite after Mikati’s resignation.
“At this challenging time for the region, the secretary general calls on all the parties in Lebanon to remain united behind the leadership of President (Michel) Sleiman,” the statement said.
The UN chief also urged Lebanon’s parties to “work together with the institutions of the state to maintain calm and stability, to respect Lebanon’s policy of disassociation” from the crisis in neighboring Syria.
Mikati, who served as Lebanon’s prime minister since June 2011, resigned on March 22 after a deadlock in his cabinet over preparations for forthcoming legislative elections in June.
The premier’s resignation came after disagreements on the formation of an electoral watchdog and the extension of the term of office of police chief Major General Ashraf Rifi.
MKA/JR/SL
