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Hariri asked to try forming Lebanon govt again
[Al Arabiya Latest] Lebanon's president designated Saad al-Hariri prime minister on Wednesday after the leader of the March 14 alliance stepped down from the post last week over rising tension with his opponents, a presidential statement said.

Hariri was called on by President Michel Suleiman to form a government after 73 out of a possible 128 lawmakers nominated him to the post. "Following consultations with the speaker of parliament and MPs ... the president has called on Saad Hariri to form a government," the statement said.

Hariri abandoned a first bid to form a national unity government last week after his political opponents led by the militant group Hezbollah rejected his proposed government line-up.

Hariri was first designated prime minister in June, but stepped down last week, blaming rival factions including Hezbollah for thwarting his attempts at forging a unity government.

His move triggered consultations this week between President Michel Suleiman and lawmakers to pick a new premier. The talks concluded on Wednesday. Suleiman was obliged to designate the candidate with the greatest support among Lebanon's 128 MPs.
Posted by: Fred 2009-09-17
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=279116