| Submit your comments on this article |
| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Hariri asked to try forming Lebanon govt again |
| 2009-09-17 |
| [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 |