">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Hariri named Lebanon PM
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Hariri named Lebanon PM
AFP - Sunday, June 28
BEIRUT (AFP) - - Saad Hariri, son of slain billionaire ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, pledged to form a cabinet that would unite rival political camps after he was named Lebanon's new prime minister on Saturday.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We will begin consultations with all parliamentary blocs based on our commitment to a national unity government in which all main blocs are represented and which is harmonious, functional, and free of obstruction and paralysis," Hariri said.
Under the current unity government, headed by Fuad Siniora, militant group Hezbollah and its allies have veto power over major decisions.
The government was formed in May 2008, ending a political crisis that had brought Lebanon to the brink of civil war.
The crisis left more than 100 people dead and was defused following a Qatari-brokered deal that led to the election of army commander Michel Sleiman as president and the formation of a unity government.
But Siniora, elected to parliament in a general election three weeks ago, was unable to form a cabinet that satisfied Lebanon's feuding political camps until July 2008.
While Hezbollah and its allies want to maintain the status quo in the new cabinet, Hariri said ahead of his nomination that he would only accept another unity government if the Hezbollah alliance surrenders its veto powers.
The Lebanese government was effectively paralysed in November 2006 when five Shiite ministers backed by Hezbollah and and its ally Amal resigned, leaving the community unrepresented in government.
Pro-Syrian speaker Nabih Berri, who heads Amal and was re-elected to a fifth consecutive term on Thursday, refused to convene parliament for 18 months as he said the government was illegitimate and unconstitutional.
Hariri's US-backed March 14 alliance won 71 of parliament's 128 seats in the June 7 election while the rival March 8 alliance, led by Hezbollah and backed by Syria and Iran, secured 57.
Hariri was nominated for the premiership by 86 of Lebanon's 128 MPs -- the 71 from his own majority alliance, plus Berri and his bloc of 12 MPs and two Armenians, the various groups said.
Berri's allies in the Hezbollah-led alliance, including retired general Michel Aoun's Christian bloc, said they abstained from naming anyone for the top post, reserved for a Sunni Muslim under Lebanon's complex system of sectarian power-sharing.
Hariri now faces the task of forming a cabinet that satisfies both his allies and rivals.
Berri said he had nominated Hariri on condition he form another unity government.
"I would like to see a government in which March 14 and March 8 are melded together," Berri told AFP.
On Thursday, Hariri and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah met for the first time since October to discuss the composition of the new government.
"Designating a prime minister and agreeing on the shape of the cabinet are inseparable parts of the same task," Hezbollah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem told AFP.
Hariri, who heads the Sunni Future Movement, had urged his supporters to refrain from celebratory gunfire after his expected nomination but the news was greeted by fireworks across parts of the capital Beirut.
The prime minister-designate is a business graduate of Georgetown University in Washington and heads his late father's Saudi-based construction firm, Saudi Oger. One of the largest companies in the Middle East, it employs around 35,000 people.
Hariri's father, Rafiq, a billionaire who served five times as prime minister, was assassinated by a truck bomb in Beirut in 2005.
The killing, which was widely blamed on former power-broker Syria, sparked mass protests and eventually forced the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon after a 29-year presence.
Damascus has roundly denied the accusations and a UN tribunal set up to try the case has still not charged anyone with the crime.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Obama's Marines in position for Afghan offensiveAFP - Saturday, June 27
White House denies indefinite detention orderAFP - Saturday, June 27
Controller: IOUs signal Calif fiscal mismanagementAP - Saturday, June 27
Regulators shut 4 banks; 44 failures this yearAP - Saturday, June 27
Tainted SC governor tries to get back to businessAP - Saturday, June 27
Enlarge Photo
Lebanese prime minister-designate Saad Hariri visits his father's tomb in Beirut on June 27, 2009. Hariri, who was propelled into the heart of Lebanese politics following the assassination of his father four years ago, was himself named to the top job on June 27. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH BARRAK
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Saturn moon may harbour life-giving ocean: study
Jackson feared dying like Elvis: Lisa Marie Presley
Pop icon Michael Jackson dead: TMZ.com website
Egyptian tycoon to hang for Lebanese diva murder
Oil prices hit reverse as Wall Street slips
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Sunday, 28 June 2009 Porsche rejects VW 'ultimatum' for merger plan
Spy games play out at Russian consulate in San Francisco
Iraqi premier: ready to take over security from US
Loyalist paramilitaries give up arms in N.Ireland
Hariri named Lebanon PM
Glastonbury pays tribute to Michael Jackson
Afghan unrest kills 11: officials
Sabbath parking fuels Jerusalem religious tensions
| International
|
Israel deflects calls for settlement freeze
Turkey passes law limiting military courts
Saad Hariri named Lebanese prime minister
UN envoy ends two-day visit to Myanmar
Immigrant law loopholes threaten SF mayor's bid
Taliban claim responsibility for Kashmir attack
Calif. narcotics team at risk in budget crisis
Thailand reports first 2 swine flu-related deaths
Hazardous freight moved by rail
Don't leave me 'dying in desert' Thaksin tells Thai rally
NKorea threatens to shoot down Japanese spy planes
Former law student gets life in PlayStation murder
Supporters of former prime minister rally in Bangkok
Ill. derailment revives hazardous cargo debate
Did toxic chemical in Iraq cause GIs' illnesses?
Cambodia PM meets Thai minister on border dispute
White House Weighs Options Over Executive Order On Long-Term Detention
Vermont to California, new laws take effect July 1
New laws prod police, protect kids, push tax cuts
Replica of ancient Philippine boat to sail SE Asia
U.S. Swine Flu Cases Reach 1 Million As 127 People Die
Filipino inmates in `Thriller' video stage tribute
No dropouts from this Camden, NJ, high school
Where's your governor? A state-by-state glance
Cambodia and Thailand meet as temple tensions simmer
Jackson also left legacy as cultural phenomenon
Jackson family anger mounts, may seek fresh autopsy
Chou, Chan sweep top prizes at Chinese Grammys
Networks continue Michael Jackson tributes
Vigil planned for Michael Jackson at Motown studio
Jackson surging to top of British album charts
Pop king Jackson was content to remain fan of film
Ukraine president's party wants to leave coalition
Iran's opposition leader rejects partial recount
Michael Jackson tops charts, memorabilia sales surge
UNESCO adds more European sites to heritage list
South Korea getting U.S. missiles to boost defences: report
| International
|
'Hacktivists' take up Iran fight as streets quiet
US, Russia in dispute over computer attacks: report
Hundreds protest in France to defend illegal immigrants
Mid-term elections seen weakening Argentine leader
| International
|
GM, US near agreement on legal claims: report
Iran deadlock drags on as Mousavi rejects part recount
NATO, Russia resume cooperation but divided over Georgia
Times Co. seeking to sell second paper with Globe
Financial system 'not out of woods yet': global regulator
Police question Australian opposition leader over email
| International
|
NATO-Russia Council 'up and running' again: Scheffer
Mousavi rejects partial Iran vote recount
Pakistani jets hit militant compounds in Waziristan
| International
|
Northern Ireland's paramilitaries dump arsenal
| International
|
Obama pushes Senate to act on climate measure
S. Korea getting U.S. missiles to boost defences
Paralyzed Vt. GI gets star-spangled welcome home
SKorean president lands in Tokyo for day of talks
Journalists caught up in Nepal's power struggle
Japan, SKorea summit to focus on NKorea
Spokeswoman: Jackson cardiologist not a suspect
12 China officials jailed for deadly landslide
Chavez to US general: You're the threat, not us
Malaysia, Indonesia spat on maid dispute
South Korea's swine flu tally nears 200
Chinese tennis players will never give up, says Li
Police: NYC day care was drug haven
Jackson family statement on death of pop star
I'm still good enough, says Aussie tennis #1 Hewitt
Eason Chan, Jay Chou win Mandarin pop music awards
Ky. pastor welcomes guns, their owners to church
NFL asks for court ruling on merchandise case
Under-bite helps Pabst become World's Ugliest Dog
Chief Justice: High court not setting school rules
RPT-N.Korea 2008 GDP growth hits 3-yr high on weather, aid
China's ships idle but Shanghai port charges ahead
Queues build for India's popular Nano car
Indonesia's traffic nightmare goes from bad to worse
Eurozone rates on hold: analysts
Court fight over Jackson's children looms
FACTBOX-Huge divide between rival Koreas
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Doctor queried in Michael Jackson death, 2nd autopsy held
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea household not to raise spending in H2 -survey
Michael Jackson set to make chart history, again
Doctor queried in Michael Jackson death, 2nd autopsy held
Michael Jackson set to make chart history, again
| Entertainment
|
Prescription drugs in spotlight after Jackson death
Transformers sequel tramples on box office
| Entertainment
|
Private funeral plans announced for Farrah Fawcett
"Transformers" sequel tramples on box office
Entertainers ready Jackson tributes for BET Awards
Questions swirl around doctor in Jackson's death
Iran sparks new row with Britain over election
| International
|
Life after U.S. pullout brings worries for Iraqis
Jaguar, Land Rover enter Indian market
Troops detain Honduras president: government
| International
|
Life after U.S. pullout brings worries for Iraqis
| International
|
Israel's Barak denies Gaza captive deal
Barak open on Israel settlement freeze before U.S. trip
| International
|
Iraq lessons learned, U.S. Marines turn to Afghanistan
| International
|
Mid-term elections seen weakening Argentine leader
| International
|
West skeptical on Russian security plan for Europe
| International
|
Albania votes, rivals trade accusations of cheating
| International
|
Winegrowers see a future in green
Insurgents in restive southern Thailand kill 1
Al-Qaida-linked gunmen kill 7 Filipino police
Israel to offer three-month settlement freeze: report
Pakistan offers reward for Taliban chief
N.Korea vows to bolster nuclear deterrence against US
Pakistani forces kill 11 Taliban militants
GM to take on future product liability claims
3 killed in pizzeria shooting outside Los Angeles
Bangladeshi protesters clash with police; 1 killed
Obama pushes Senate to act on climate measure
S Korea, Japan say N Korea should return to talks
India confirms 9 new cases of swine flu
India to review laws banning homosexuality: report
50,000 bangladesh garment workers in wage protest
NKorea economy grows but remains in doldrums
Optimism grows among Japanese executives
SKorean bank: NKorea's economy grows in 2008
Trouble brewing for Sri Lanka tea farmers
Top designers try a revamp of Islamic abaya
Spokeswoman: doctor not suspect in Jackson death
Fashion pioneer Vionnet's work on show for 1st time
A new high tech edge to Poland's Jewish heritage
Jewish cantors to perform in Warsaw opera house
| Entertainment
|
Cinema returns to war-weary West Bank town
Winegrowers see a future in green
China Limits Access To Online Medical Info, Research On Sexual Subjects
Michael Jackson's Death Overwhelms Internet
Rumors Of Jeff Goldblum's Death "Completely Untrue"
Paris Hilton Hired Team Of Experts To Avoid Getting Arrested In Dubai For Wearing Revealing Outfits
Zac Efron And Breckin Meyer Spoof Perez Hilton's Video Tirade
Drew Barrymore Hounded By Squirrels At LA Home
Former British PM Tony Blair Promised Queen Elizabeth He Would Not Watch "The Queen" Movie
Johnny Depp Doesn't Think He's A Celebrity
Stone Age Flute Discovered In Germany Is Oldest Instrument Found
Utility Crew Digs Up Human Remains Near Cemeteries
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights