Pro-Syrian Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karami has resigned again, this time unable to form a cabinet for a caretaker government to run the expected spring elections:

Omar al-Karami said he had hit a wall in trying to form a cabinet, whose main task would be to supervise the elections which the United States and United Nations say must go ahead on time.

"We have once again reached a dead end," Mr Karami said. "That is why I have invited you today to present my resignation."

Political sources have said the elections, due to be held by the end of May, could be pushed back by weeks or months by the delay. But Mr Karami said there was still time for the poll to be held on time.

Karami first resigned his position with President Emile Lahoud, widely considered a puppet for Bashar Assad in Damascus, after the unprecedented demonstrations of outrage after the assassination of Rafik Hariri. Lahoud reappointed Karami shortly after a brief counterdemonstration by Hezbollah, but that was weeks ago. The long delay in forming a cabinet has allowed Syria to continue its influence and meddling in Lebanese affairs, and now that Karami has once again resigned, Lahoud has an excuse to put off elections for as long as he needs.

The nationalists still have a major ace to play, however. One Christian politician noted that they called off the demonstrations, and they can simply call them back again if Lahoud and Karami have forgotten about them. A million of them chased off the Syrian Army. I don't think Lahoud stands much of a chance if they come back for Round Two.

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