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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Hezbollah ministers quit cabinet | Hezbollah ministers quit cabinet |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| All five Shia Muslim pro-Syrian ministers in the Lebanese government have resigned, Hezbollah has said. | All five Shia Muslim pro-Syrian ministers in the Lebanese government have resigned, Hezbollah has said. |
| They include two Hezbollah members and two from the Amal movement, its ally. | They include two Hezbollah members and two from the Amal movement, its ally. |
| The announcement came shortly after multi-party talks to discuss Hezbollah's demand for a bigger role in government ended without agreement. | The announcement came shortly after multi-party talks to discuss Hezbollah's demand for a bigger role in government ended without agreement. |
| The militant group asked for a share of cabinet seats that would give it and its allies the power of veto, but the majority group in parliament refused. | The militant group asked for a share of cabinet seats that would give it and its allies the power of veto, but the majority group in parliament refused. |
| The resignations came just two days before the government was due to discuss a draft UN document on a tribunal for those suspected of killing former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri last year. | The resignations came just two days before the government was due to discuss a draft UN document on a tribunal for those suspected of killing former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri last year. |
| Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has said he does not accept the resignations. | |
| A statement from his office said Mr Siniora rejects the move "even if he receives the formal written resignations". | |
| Problem for PM | Problem for PM |
| The tension in Lebanon has been building since this summer's war between Hezbollah and Israel and ahead of the formation of the tribunal. | The tension in Lebanon has been building since this summer's war between Hezbollah and Israel and ahead of the formation of the tribunal. |
| "To pave the way for the majority to practice what it wants freely and so that we don't cover what we are not convinced of ... we announce the resignation of our representatives in the current cabinet," said a joint statement by Hezbollah and Amal. | "To pave the way for the majority to practice what it wants freely and so that we don't cover what we are not convinced of ... we announce the resignation of our representatives in the current cabinet," said a joint statement by Hezbollah and Amal. |
| The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says the resignation was something of a surprise as there had been hope that the talks would resume at a later date. | The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says the resignation was something of a surprise as there had been hope that the talks would resume at a later date. |
| The ministers that resigned were in charge of the foreign affairs, agriculture, health, energy and labour portfolios. | The ministers that resigned were in charge of the foreign affairs, agriculture, health, energy and labour portfolios. |
| More than eight ministers would need to resign for the government to fall. | More than eight ministers would need to resign for the government to fall. |
| However, correspondents say the move could make things very difficult for western-backed Prime Minister Siniora. | |
| Hezbollah has accused the Lebanese government of failing in its job, and has proclaimed itself the victor of the conflict with Israel earlier this year. | Hezbollah has accused the Lebanese government of failing in its job, and has proclaimed itself the victor of the conflict with Israel earlier this year. |