Lebanon's pro-Syrian PM reappointed

BEIRUT - Lebanon's president reappointed pro-Syrian Prime Minister Omar Karami on Thursday, 10 days after he resigned amid a storm of anti-Syrian protests in Beirut.


President Emile Lahoud asked the Sunni Muslim politician to form a national unity government after parliament, where Syria's allies have a majority, nominated him for the post on Wednesday.

It was not clear if any opposition politicians would join such a government. The opposition has demanded a full Syrian withdrawal, the resignation of Syrian-backed Lebanese security chiefs and an international investigation into last month's killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

Karami, speaking on live television, said a national unity government was the only way out of Lebanon's crisis. He urged all parties to join a dialogue and take part in the government.

- REUTERS