Hague Urges Formation of 'Consensual' Cabinet

British Foreign Minister William Hague expressed concern over the situation in Lebanon after Prime Minister Najib Miqati's cabinet resigned, urging all parties to work for "a more consensual government" as the challenges from Syria grow.

"It is critical that all parties in Lebanon prioritize national interests and ... reach a broad consensus to enable parliamentary elections to take place within the legal and constitutional framework," Hague said in a statement issued late Saturday.

He pointed out that his country is monitoring the situation in Lebanon “carefully” after Miqati's resignation.

Miqati announced his resignation on Friday night in light of the cabinet's failure to approve the decisions to form of an authority to oversee the parliamentary elections and extend the term of Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi.

He said that all political powers “must assume their responsibilities in order to steer Lebanon away from the unknown.”

Reactions to Miqati's step were mixed with some sides calling for the formation of a salvation government and others condemning his step at such a critical time in the region and ahead of the parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for June 9.

Suleiman accepted the government's resignation on Saturday, tasking it with a caretaker role.

Hague expressed support to the efforts exerted by President Michel Suleiman to maintain peace and protect the country's “territorial integrity.”

He also praised Miqati's role “in responding to those challenges and I pay tribute to his efforts.”

Hague said that the violence in the northern city of Tripoli “mounts challenges” facing Lebanon by the neighboring country Syria.

Gunfight erupted in Tripoli when a soldier was wounded along with his brother after gunmen entered the state hospital in the area of al-Qobbeh and opened fire at him.

Tripoli has been witnessing deadly clashes between supporters and opponents of the Damascus regime for several years now.

The majority of Bab al-Tabbaneh residents are Sunni and back the revolution against Syrian President Bashar Assad, while Jabal Mohsen's residents are mainly Alawites from Assad's sect.