Ten ministers from the opposition March 8 Alliance announced their resignation after their meeting on Wednesday afternoon, which is followed by the 11th minister, the Shiite state minister Adnan al-Sayed Hussein resigned shortly after the meeting.
According to Lebanese constitution, the government collapsed after more than one third of cabinet ministers resign.
Lebanese politicians had said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabiaand Syria failed to reach a deal to contain tensions over theU.N.-backed tribunal, which is expected to issue draft
indictments soon over the 2005 assassination of Rafik al-Hariri.
The ministers resigned as Saad al-Hariri was meeting U.S.President Barack Obama, and the White House later released astatement criticising Hezbollah`s moves and warning against any"threats or action" that could destabilise Lebanon.
Hariri`s office said he left Washington after the talks,heading for Paris to meet President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday.
Fraance Info public radio said Hariri landed late on Wednesdayin Paris.
Sarkozy`s office said the meeting would take place at around7:15 p.m. (1815 GMT) on Thursday.
It said that Sarkozy discussed the situation in Lebanon withSyrian President Bashar Al-Assad and sent a message of supportto Lebanese President Michel Suleiman. (*)
Reporter:
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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