Lebanese government topples as Hezbollah ministers resign

MINISTERS from Hezbollah and its allies have resigned, toppling the Lebanese government of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri before expected indictments against the Shi’ite group over the killing of Hariri’s father.

Lebanese politicians had said on Tuesday Saudi Arabia and Syria failed to reach a deal to contain tensions over the UN-backed tribunal, which is expected to issue draft indictments soon over the 2005 assassination of Rafik al-Hariri.

The ministers resigned as Saad al-Hariri was meeting US President Barack Obama, and the White House later released a statement criticising Hezbollah’s moves and warning against any “threats or action” that could destabilise Lebanon.