Omar Karami, the Prime Minister of the Syrian puppet government that runs Lebanon announced his resignation today as 25,000 protesters outside the Parliament building demanded that Syria end its 15 year occupation of Lebanon.

'It is the first victory, but it will not be the last,' opposition leader and former information minister Ghazi al-Areedh told the crowd who broke into cheers when the resignation was announced.

The resignation is the culmination of two weeks of protests against the Syrian supported government in Lebanon since the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Many have accused Syria of having a hand in Hariri's death as he had just joined the opposition party and had advocated the removal of Syrian occupying forces shortly before his murder.
Syria has denied involvement in Hariri's killing.

The Bush Administration was pleased by the resignation of the pro-Syrian government and called for elections in Lebanon 'free of all foreign interference,' an obvious reference to Syria.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan released a statement saying, 'We are closely watching developments with great interest. The resignation of the Karami government represents an opportunity for the Lebanese people to have a new government that is truly representative of their country's diversity. Syrian military forces and intelligence personnel need to leave the country,' McClellan said. 'That will help ensure that elections are free and fair.'

Protesters also called for the resignation of the Pro-Syrian president and security chiefs in Lebanon. The waved Lebanese flags and chanted anti-Syrian slogans.

All involved hope to avoid a reoccurrence of the Lebanese Civil War which lasted from 1975-1990 and left the country in utter chaos.

While protesters were not attacked by government soldiers or police, the possibility of a crackdown remains a reality. For now, however, the protesters have succeeded in toppling the Prime Minister.