Lebanon: Prime Minister Asks To Step Down

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati offered his resignation after the assassination of a top security official. He said Saturday that he remained at his post at the request of the Lebanese president and “the national interest” of the country.

“I assured the president that I was not attached to the post of head of government. (He) asked me to stay because it is not a personal issue but a national interest, “said Najib Mikati in a press conference after an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers.

The Lebanese government met after the assassination of the head of intelligence in an attack attributed by the Lebanese opposition to the Syrian regime. The attack left eight dead and 86 injured, according to a government source. On Saturday morning, the Red Cross stated that this figure could be revised downwards.