Lebanese Primer Minister Omar Karami insisted Monday on forming a national unity government even though anti-Syrian opposition leaders have refused to join one before general elections.

Opposition leaders had urged Karami, who resigned last month butwas reappointed by parliament to form a new government, to make do without them and quickly pick a cabinet to lead Lebanon to elections due in May.

But Karami told reporters after meeting with caretaker cabinet ministers that he had no choice but to forge a government comprising all parties.

"We announced from the start that we will form only a national unity government and this requires dialog with all sides, opposition and loyalists," he said.

He appealed to halt demonstrations and return to the table of dialog for the sake of Lebanon.

Karami warned that he would resign again if the political stalemate persists.