Lebanese ministers resign office
Mr Karimi denies any involvement in the attack on Mr Hariri
Lebanon's Prime Minister Omar Karimi has announced he and his government are resigning, two weeks after the murder of former PM Rafik Hariri.
The move comes as crowds protest in Beirut, calling for Syrian troops to leave the country.
The Lebanese parliament was also debating an opposition-sponsored motion of no-confidence in the government.
"I am keen the government will not be a hurdle in front of those who want the good for this country," Mr Karimi said.
"I declare the resignation of the government that I had the honour to head. May God preserve Lebanon."
His announcement came after a lunch break in the parliamentary debate, which was being televised live.
A cheer went up among more than 10,000 protesters who had gathered in Martyrs Square to demand the resignation of the government and the withdrawal of Syrian troops.
Opposition leaders also welcomed the decision.
Interim government
Both Mr Karimi's government and the Syrian government have been accused of involvement in the 14 February assassination of Mr Hariri - charges they deny.
Earlier, Mr Kariri - who took office after Mr Hariri resigned last year - said those who accused his government of involvement in the crime "committed a grave injustice".
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says a new interim government will now have to be chosen that meets the approval of opposition leaders. It will govern until elections, which are due in spring.
Before the debate opened, MPs observed a minute's silence in memory of Mr Hariri.
"I accuse this government of incitement, negligence and shortcomings at the least, and of covering up its planning at the most... if not executing," the attack, said former minister Marwan Hamadeh.
He also called for the dismissal of three Lebanese intelligence chiefs, the head of the police and the commander of the Presidential Guards.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/4305927.stm
Mr Karimi denies any involvement in the attack on Mr Hariri
Lebanon's Prime Minister Omar Karimi has announced he and his government are resigning, two weeks after the murder of former PM Rafik Hariri.
The move comes as crowds protest in Beirut, calling for Syrian troops to leave the country.
The Lebanese parliament was also debating an opposition-sponsored motion of no-confidence in the government.
"I am keen the government will not be a hurdle in front of those who want the good for this country," Mr Karimi said.
"I declare the resignation of the government that I had the honour to head. May God preserve Lebanon."
His announcement came after a lunch break in the parliamentary debate, which was being televised live.
A cheer went up among more than 10,000 protesters who had gathered in Martyrs Square to demand the resignation of the government and the withdrawal of Syrian troops.
Opposition leaders also welcomed the decision.
Interim government
Both Mr Karimi's government and the Syrian government have been accused of involvement in the 14 February assassination of Mr Hariri - charges they deny.
Earlier, Mr Kariri - who took office after Mr Hariri resigned last year - said those who accused his government of involvement in the crime "committed a grave injustice".
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says a new interim government will now have to be chosen that meets the approval of opposition leaders. It will govern until elections, which are due in spring.
Before the debate opened, MPs observed a minute's silence in memory of Mr Hariri.
"I accuse this government of incitement, negligence and shortcomings at the least, and of covering up its planning at the most... if not executing," the attack, said former minister Marwan Hamadeh.
He also called for the dismissal of three Lebanese intelligence chiefs, the head of the police and the commander of the Presidential Guards.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/4305927.stm
