Mikati Says Not Resigning So That May Elections Are Held

Lebanon’s Prime Minister-Designate Najib Mikati speaks after meeting with President Michel Aoun, at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon August 16, 2021. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
Lebanon’s Prime Minister-Designate Najib Mikati speaks after meeting with President Michel Aoun, at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon August 16, 2021. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
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Mikati Says Not Resigning So That May Elections Are Held

Lebanon’s Prime Minister-Designate Najib Mikati speaks after meeting with President Michel Aoun, at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon August 16, 2021. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
Lebanon’s Prime Minister-Designate Najib Mikati speaks after meeting with President Michel Aoun, at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon August 16, 2021. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Tuesday he was not resigning his post so that parliamentary elections scheduled for May 15 would be held.

“I won’t be dragged into resigning so that it is not an excuse for obstructing parliamentary elections,” Mikati said in televised remarks outside a session of parliament, Reuters reported.

“This is a reason for not resigning.”



Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
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Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)

The death toll from a suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus on Sunday has risen to 25, Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Monday citing the country's health ministry.

It was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by opposition factions in December.

On Sunday, a suicide bomber in Syria opened fire then detonated an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church filled with people praying, killing and wounding many.

The attack took place in Dweila on the outskirts of Damascus inside the Mar Elias Church, according to state media SANA.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.