Lebanese government collapses
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Lebanese government on Wednesday collapsed after 11 ministers from the 30-seat cabinet declared resignation, as the two rivalry blocs reached a stalemate on the investigation of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's killing in 2005.
Eleven ministers, 10 from the Hezbollah-dominant March 8 Alliance and one close to the President Michel Suleiman, resigned on Wednesday afternoon. According to Lebanese constitution, a government collapsed as more than one third of cabinet ministers resign.
Formed in November 2009, the national unity government was comprised of 15 ministers from the majority March 14 Alliance, 10 ministers from the opposition March 8 Alliance and five close to the president, which was seen as a central party.
The Iran and Syria-backed March 8 Alliance announced that the 10 ministers resigned because of a months-long stalemate with Prime Minister Saad Hariri over the Special Tribunal for Lebanon ( STL) probing Rafik Hariri's case.
In a routine meeting on Wednesday, Lebanon's western and Saudi- backed March 14 Alliance reiterated their support for the STL, which will reportedly issue indictment for some Hezbollah members.
The March 14 which is led by prime minister, the slain Rafik Hariri's son Saad Hariri, also said that Lebanon enters "a new March 8-made phase to hinder government's institutions once again, " and ruled out any compromise on this issue.
Shiite armed group Hezbollah and its supporter Syria are widely accused of being involved in the case, but both are constantly denying it.
Tensions have been mounting in Lebanon as some reports said that the STL will issue indictment for some Hezbollah members. Many are worried about that the issue will ignite the conflict between Shiite and Sunni in Lebanon.
Lebanon's two power brokers Saudi Arabia and Syria had launched initiative to reach a compromise over the issue since August 2010, but Lebanese opposition bloc announced the failure on Tuesday.
Lebanese President Suleiman on Wednesday called Saudi King Abdullah, saying that he still look forward to continuing to work together with Saudi and other partners to support Lebanon.
The government collapsed at the time of Saad Hariri's meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama. Hariri initiated a round of diplomatic efforts to save the government out of crisis during his ongoing visit the United States. He met earlier with Saudi King Abdullah, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The resignations came before March 8 Alliance on Tuesday gave the government a 24-hour deadline to have a cabinet meeting to discuss the crisis in Lebanon.
