By Lin Noueihed, RABIEH, Lebanon, (Reuters) – Lebanese Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun said on Thursday the government should resign if it was unable to end a political crisis that has paralysed decision-making. Aoun, who heads a major parliamentary bloc but did not join a cabinet formed after Syria withdrew from Lebanon in April, called for early elections as a prelude to replacing pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, who has been under pressure to resign.
"The government crisis … is building up and we do not feel it is being remedied in a way that can bring results," Aoun said in an interview at his home in the hills above Beirut. "What does a government do in this situation? If you ask me what I would do, I would resign." Lebanon’s government, dominated by anti-Syrian politicians who won a majority in parliament in elections last year, has been in crisis since five Shi’ite Muslim ministers began boycotting sessions last month. The boycott began after the cabinet voted for an international trial for suspects in the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri last February.