The Guardian

London, March 1:

The Syrian government’s hold on Lebanon was shaken last night when its placeman, the prime minister Omar Karami, was forced to resign after a new wave of street protests.

The Syrian regime and its puppet government in Beirut have been under pressure since the assassination of the ex-Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri a fortnight ago. With Beirut halted by a general strike and tens of thousands of protesters taking to the streets, Karami announced the dissolution of his government, saying: “I am keen that the government will not be a hurdle in front of those who want the good for this country.”