Fears of unrest as Lebanese PM re-appointed

Pro-Syrian Omar Karami was reappointed Lebanese premier today – a move destined to increase the protests in the streets of Beirut.

Sensing trouble ahead, Karami immediately called for a national unity government which he invited the opposition to join.

He quit 10 days ago after thousands of demonstrators in the capital had demanded his resignation.

The appointment by President Emile Lahoud, also pro-Syrian, came after MPs, ignoring weeks of popular anti-government protests, advised the president during consultations to rename Karami.

He was virtually assured nomination after 71 of 78 MPs put forward his name, more than half of the votes required in the 128 seat parliament

Under the constitution, the president is obliged to comply with the choice of the majority of MPs.

Karami said he will begin consultations with parliamentary blocs to form a cabinet early next week.

“The difficulties we all know cannot be confronted without a government of national unity and salvation,” he said. “We will extend our hand and wait for the other side.”

He called for political dialogue and said he will try to form a cabinet that includes all factions. He warned of ”unforeseen dangerous results” to Lebanon’s economy if the political vacuum and street protests persist.

“I will not form a Cabinet of one colour,” he insisted, and warned that if the situation deteriorates: “I hold the side that does not participate in a national unity government responsible.”

The opposition criticised Karami’s reappointment even before it became formal. They have said a national unity government was a trap to bring opposition members into the cabinet without giving them a say in policymaking. The opposition wants a neutral government.

Karami rejected suggestions his reappointment was inspired by Syria, saying his supporters had the majority in the parliament and with the people, a reference to Tuesday’s Hezbollah-organised rally in which almost half a million pro-Syrian supporters participated.

“It was a massive demonstration that asserted our legitimacy in the Lebanese street,” he said.

Bringing Karami back ensures Damascus’ continued dominance. Syria is keen to keep its hold on Lebanese decision-making as it pulls its forces back to the Bekaa Valley and negotiates with the government in Beirut on the troops’ full removal at a later date.

Opposition MP Samir Franjieh described a reappointment of Karami as a government escalation aimed at scuttling any attempts at dialogue.

“It is a step that greatly challenges the opposition and the people’s feelings,” said Franjieh. He did not say how the opposition plans to react.