The pro-Syrian Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Omar Karami has again resigned -- after failing to form a government to lead the country to elections in May.
Mr. Karami says he "reached a dead end" and could not form a cabinet including the anti-Syrian opposition. He first stepped down on February 28th following a wave of anti-Syrian demonstrations, but was re-appointed in March.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice welcomed his latest resignation as an opportunity for Lebanon to move forward, free of outside interference.
A State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says the resignation should not delay parliamentary elections set for May or prevent Syrian troops from fully withdrawing from Lebanon on schedule.
Wednesday's events come as Lebanese observed the 1975 outbreak of the country's 15-year civil war with a day of reconciliation, celebrating Muslim-Christian unity.
