Tensions rise in Lebanon PM struggle

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Lebanon's opposition party says it will support former Prime Minister Omar Karami as a rival candidate to try and oust caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

The so-called March 8 coalition named Karami as its choice. The move came just hours after Hariri's Future party and allies in the rival March 14 coalition nominated Hariri as their candidate amid increasing political tensions following the collapse of Hariri's national unity Cabinet last week, the English-language Daily Star newspaper reported.

Hariri's Cabinet collapsed after Hezbollah and its allies resigned in a dispute over a U.N.-backed special tribunal's indictments in the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Saad Hariri's father.

The indictments are widely expected to accuse some Hezbollah members of involvement in Hariri's killing.

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly urged the rival factions to maintain calm.

"We urge all the parties in Lebanon to work together to find a solution for the numerous issues that face the Lebanese people," Connelly said in a statement after meeting Hariri. "It is now more important than ever that all sides commit to constructive dialogue and avoid escalating tensions in the country."