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Franjieh Warns Vote Delay May Trigger Unrest
 Lebanon slipped further into crisis as tensions mounted a day after Prime Minister Omar Karami stepped down after he failed to agree on a Cabinet with pro-Syrian allies. The crisis deepened yesterday when the caretaker Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh warned that a delay in parliamentary elections could lead to unrest, as the search for a new prime minister began with time running short to form a government and arrange a vote.
| That's what it's supposed to do, of course... |
Franjieh threw the pro-Syrian allies in disarray when he said he could no longer work with President Emile Lahoud, another top ally of Damascus.
The continuing crisis in Lebanon, with the leaders still squabbling over the formation of the government, could make May elections unlikely, though Lahoud holds consultations with lawmakers today on naming a prime minister-designate to keep alive hopes that a government could be formed quickly to supervise the poll. Political sources said among the frontrunners for the job were former minister Najib Mikatti and current minister Adnan Qassar, both wealthy businessmen who are moderate politicians having good ties with Syria but acceptable to the opposition. The comments by Franjieh, whose ministry organizes the vote, came a day after the opposition threatened to resort to street protests to force the government to call an election. The opposition is confident of winning the vote and ending Syria's domination of Parliament. "I am for elections no matter what the results are, no matter whether we win or lose," Franjieh told a news conference in his hometown of Benashei in northern Lebanon. A delay of several months could lead to uncertainty, he added. "I don't know whether we'll be heading toward defusing the situation. Things may become more complicated and it might lead to protests," he warned. His comments reflected deep divisions and bickering among pro-Syrian factions as Damascus was expected to complete the withdrawal of its army from Lebanon. Karami was unable to form a government in part because of a dispute with Franjieh over a post and the elections.
Posted by: Fred 2005-04-15 |
