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Mikati's Resignation Shakes Up Lebanese Politics

Prime Minister Najib Mikati's resignation has sent shock waves through Lebanon and threatened the country's stability, although some political factions may stand to benefit, writes Scarlett Haddad.
Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati talks during an interview with Reuters at the Grand Serail, the government headquarters in Beirut March 12, 2013. Mikati urged Arab states to help Lebanon cope with a flood of Syrian refugees who are stretching its scarce resources and will need at least $370 million in support this year. Picture taken March 12, 2013. To match Interview SYRIA-CRISIS/LEBANON REUTERS/Jamal Saidi (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS PROFILE) - RTR3EXH0

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.

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