The news of the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday evening [March 22] was a bombshell. The Lebanese people suddenly felt as if the ground was shaking under their feet. Despite the criticism that has rained down from all sides on the government, it has managed to demonstrate a modicum of stability in facing this raging storm.

Nevertheless, despite all concerns, nothing has happened on the ground. If anything, tension between the traditional protagonists has decreased. Meanwhile, it seemed there was a brief hiatus in the clashes between the Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhoods in Tripoli. One could even say that this resignation appears to have suited all parties inside Lebanon.

Nevertheless, a summary of the facts is necessary.

According to Mikati’s own admissions — confirmed by the Mufti of the Republic Mohammed Rashid Qabbani, who contacted him nearly an hour after the announcement of his resignation — the prime minister prepared his resignation on Thursday evening, on the eve of the meeting of the cabinet in Baabda, as he felt that the general climate was negative. This was especially true as he attempted to discuss the formation of a committee to oversee the elections, which has been strongly opposed by ministers affiliated with the Free Patriotic Movement, Hezbollah and Amal.