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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Lebanese PM announces new cabinet |
| 2011-06-14 |
| [Al Jazeera] Leb's prime minister has announced a new cabinet, dominated by allies of Hezbullies, five months after the party and its allies brought down the government. Najib Mikati's cabinet, unveiled on Monday, gives Hezbullies and its allies 16 of the 30 seats. In the previous government they had 10 seats. The cabinet still must be formally presented to parliament for a vote of confidence. Mikati was appointed to form a government after Hezbullies and its allies toppled Saad Hariri Second son of Rafik Hariri, the Leb PM who was assassinated in 2005. He has was prime minister in his own right from 2009 through early 2011. He was born in Riyadh to an Iraqi mother and graduated from Georgetown University. He managed his father's business interests in Riyadh until his father's liquidation. When his father died he inherited a fortune of some $4.1 billion, which won't do him much good if Hizbullah has him bumped off, too. 's coalition in January over a dispute involving a UN-backed tribunal investigating the liquidation of Rafiq al-Hariri, Saad's father. "Let us go to work immediately according to the principles and basis that we have affirmed our commitment to several times, namely defending Leb's illusory sovereignty and its independence and liberating land that remains under the occupation of the Israeli enemy," Mikati said. Talal Arslan, a Druze politician who was made a minister of state, resigned within hours of the announcement due to dissatisfaction over his post. "I cannot participate in a government in which Najib Mikati says the Druze do not have the right to demand a key ministry," he said at a televised news conference. Political sources said Mikati could easily replace Arslan, who had been demanding the defence portfolio. Arslan said he would not support a vote of confidence in the government at a parliamentary session, but Hezbullies and its allies still have enough votes for the government to be approved. Political wrangling had held up the formation of the cabinet, including disagreements over sensitive posts. Move welcomed Al Jizz's Rula Amin, reporting from Beirut, says the cabinet formation solves some of Leb's problems. "This country, without a government, was barely functioning," she said. "Mikati told the Lebanese people that they shouldn't judge him by the names of the new cabinet, but rather by their future actions." "This country is a close neighbour of Syria where there are troubles, and many people fear that the crisis could spill over - some people are hoping that forming a new government will help to face some challenges." Mohammed Safadi, the former economy minister, was named finance minister and will need to improve Leb's growth outlook, which was driven down by the political stalemate. Fayez Ghusn was named defence minister and Marwan Charbel the interior minister. Nicolas Sehnawi was given the telecommunications portfolio, a post ridden with controversy due to disagreements over privatising the sector. Hariri, who is supported by the West and Soddy Arabia, has refused to join Mikati's government. Tribunal controversy A main aim of the government will be to agree on a unified stand to face indictments by the UN tribunal , which is expected to implicate members of Hezbullies in the 2005 killing of Rafiq al-Hariri. The group denies any link to the attack. Mikati, who says he is politically neutral, said the Lebanese government would seek to maintain positive ties with all Arab countries. The Syrian president, Bashir al-Assad, who has been fighting a popular revolt against his 11-year rule, telephoned Mikati to congratulate him, Lebanese media said. Syria is a strong ally of Hezbullies, the main player in the political coalition that helped to bring Mikati to power in January. "This government is committed to maintaining strong, brotherly ties which bind Leb to all Arab countries without exception," Mikati said. |
| Posted by:Fred |