BEIRUT, (Reuters) – Ministers from Hezbollah and its allies resigned yesterday, 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 that Saudi Arabia and Syria failed to reach a deal to contain tensions over the U.N.-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 U.S. 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.
Hariri’s office said he left Washington after the talks, heading for Paris to meet President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday. Fraance Info public radio said Hariri landed late on Wednesday in Paris.
Sarkozy’s office said the meeting would take place at around 7:15 p.m. (1815 GMT) today.
It said that Sarkozy discussed the situation in Lebanon with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and sent a message of support to Lebanese President Michel Suleiman.
Analysts said the resignations could set the stage for protracted political turmoil in Lebanon.
They played down prospects of a repeat of the violence of May 2008, when gunmen took over Beirut after government moves against Hezbollah.
But Sunni power Saudi Arabia, which backs Hariri, warned the resignations “will cause clashes once again”.
