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hariri names new lebanese government after five week vacuum |
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Tuesday, 10 November 2009 Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri (file photo)Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri announced the formation of a new Lebanese government late Monday following weeks of bickering and a five month political vacuum since parliamentary elections. The breakthrough comes at a price, though, since Mr. Hariri has had to give the Hezbollah-led opposition key ministerial positions. The list of members in Prime Minister Saad Hariri's new government was announced at the presidential palace in Baabda, Monday night, after a day of marathon deal-making and last-minute courtesy calls to both allies and adversaries.Lebanon has been without a government since June 7 parliamentary elections which Mr. Hariri's coalition won. Mr. Hariri had failed during a previous attempt to form a unity government.Mr. Hariri addressed reporters gathered at the palace for the announcement, saying that he was pleased that a difficult page was now being turned, and urging Lebanese to unite to build a better future for their country:He says that he doesn't wish to repeat the difficult period of negotiations, again, and that it is time for Lebanese to move forward and build a better future for their country. Lebanese Christian leader lawmaker Michel Aoun arrives at Parliament in Beirut (File)One of the final obstacles that was overcome during Monday's behind-the-scenes bargaining among Lebanon's fractious political parties was how many seats to award to populist Christian leader and Hezbollah-ally General Michel Aoun.Aoun told reporters, Monday, after meeting with Mr. Hariri that he was pleased that recent snags had been ironed-out.The pro-Syrian Hezbollah, which was given key positions in the new government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicated earlier that it hoped for a government platform which endorsed the party's role as Lebanon's national "resistance."Lebanon's presidential spokesman told reporters that the members of the new government would meet with President Michel Suleiman, Tuesday, for a roundtable discussion. |
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
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