Lebanese government loyalists firmly rejected opposition demands for the resignations of the country's top security officials and instead called for a government of national unity. Beirut MP and one-time ally of assassinated Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Bassem Yamout, said: "Today, we call on the opposition to join us to form a national consensus Cabinet that can pave the way for dialogue." Yamout added: "If the opposition fails to answer our endeavor, we hold them responsible for what might happen in the country." The loyalists, who gathered at Speaker Nabih Berri's residence at Ain al-Tineh on Thursday, include most of the outgoing ministers of former Premier Omar Karami's government and pro-Syrian MPs as well as members of the Amal Movement and Hizbullah. They insisted the opposition should join them in what they called a "national Cabinet" in order to "save the country from a monetary and administrative crisis."