The Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati has resigned after his divided cabinet was unable to agree on forthcoming elections. Jim Muir reports from Beirut.
Announcing his resignation Mr Mikati said he had almost resigned twice before since taking office two years ago. The cabinet failed to agree on two important and hotly-contested issues: one was the establishment and membership of a commission to oversee general elections which are supposed to be held in June; the other was his request that the mandate of the chief of internal security should be extended to avoid a dangerous vacuum which Mr Mikati said would now occur. He hoped a new government of national salvation could be formed to save the country from going over the brink.
President Obama says he’s very concerned about Syria becoming what he called an “enclave for extremism” because of the conflict raging in the country. Mr Obama was speaking in Jordan. From Amman, Yolande Knell reports.
This was an important final stop-off for Mr Obama recognising what he called an invaluable ally. But it was also a chance to hear first-hand how the war in Syria has spilled into neighbouring Jordan. King Abdullah told him that the arrival of 460,000 Syrian refugees was a heavy burden and predicted numbers would double by the end of the year. The president promised to ask Congress for another $200m in humanitarian support.
World News from the BBC