New Lebanese cabinet announced

Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati has announced the makeup of his cabinet following talks with the president and parliament speaker.

The announcement came after a Monday meeting between Mikati, and President Michel Sleiman and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Naharnet reported.

In late January, Sleiman issued a decree appointing Hezbollah-backed Mikati as the country’s new prime minister.

Mikati won 68 votes in the 128-seat parliament following two days of discussions between lawmakers and Sleiman.

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri was also seeking reappointment after his government collapsed following the resignation of 11 ministers from the coalition cabinet in a dispute over a US-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of his father and former Premier Rafiq Hariri.

In a televised speech shortly after his installation, Mikati reached out to all Lebanese factions, calling on them to overcome differences and participate in an inclusive unity government.

He said improving the economic situation in Lebanon was his first and foremost priority and vowed not to backtrack on his pledges to defend the rights of the Lebanese people.