Lebanese Opposition Ministers Announce Resignation from Government after Rabieh Meeting

On Wednesday January 12, 2011, opposition minister met at the residence of the Head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun in Rabieh and issued the following statement:

The minister of the opposition would like to express their gratitude for the efforts made by Saudi King Abdullah and Syrian President Bashar Assad to assist Lebanon in overcoming the crisis caused by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and regret the loss of the opportunities given for the success of these efforts in a bid to avert the destabilization intended for Lebanon.

Following the outcome that the situation yielded in terms of paralyzing efforts to deal with the situation because the other party succumbed to external pressure, notably from the United stated, thus ignoring the advice of the Saudi and Syrian mediators and disregarding the positive developments that the efforts has resulted in,

Despite the positive attitude that we have had for months now, the other party confronted us by hampering the work of the government, stalling the decisions related to people's issues, national matters, and public finances, this preventing the government from carrying out its duties according to the provisions of the Constitution, and hindering the work of the various ministries with regards to meeting the needs and priorities of the Lebanese people, as provided for by the ministerial statement.

After having made out last attempt to contain the situation by asking for a Cabinet meeting to deal with the crisis at the Lebanese level, and following the insistence of the other party to pursue the same policy of not resorting to the national government to solve the crisis; and in a bid to provide an opportunity for the formation of a new government in accordance with the Constitution, a government that would be able to assume the responsibilities laid upon it by the current situation, and able to carry out its duties to safeguard Lebanon's stability, guard it from dangers, protect its people's interests, meet their needs, and provide them with true justice,

The opposition ministers hereby present their resignation from the government urging President Suleiman to hasten the measures needed for the formation of a new government.