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Last update - 05:31 12/07/2008 Lebanon forms unity gov't which gives Hezbollah veto power By The Associated Press Tags: Fouad Siniora, Lebanon  Lebanon's prime minister formed a national unity Cabinet on Friday after six weeks of wrangling over how to distribute posts among members of the country's Western-backed parliamentary majority and the Hezbollah-led opposition. Plans for the 30-member Cabinet were laid out in an Arab League-brokered deal in May, which also gave Hezbollah and its allies veto power over all government decisions. It gave 16 Cabinet seats to the parliament majority, 11 to the opposition and three to be distributed by the president. Advertisement The Cabinet formation is another step toward healing a political divide that left Lebanon without a president for six months until the May 25 election of former army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman. "We have decided to manage our disputes through democratic institutions and dialogue, and not through force and intimidation," Prime Minister Fuad Saniora told reporters at the presidential palace in suburban Beirut, minutes after names of the new Cabinet ministers were announced. In May, Hezbollah militants and allied gunmen fanned out across Lebanon's capital, clashing with government supporters in violence that killed at least 81 people and brought the country to the brink of another civil war. "The main purpose is to serve all Lebanese citizens in these extremely difficult circumstances," Saniora said. But Lebanon's problems "will not cease to exist overnight," he said. The new Cabinet would immediately start preparing for transparent parliamentary elections in 2009, Saniora added Bookmark to del.icio.us   History undersea Israeli lifeguard stumbles upon ancient relic during morning swim. Elections, Hebrew style U.S. presidential hopefuls use Hebrew to woo the Jewish community.   1.   Selling your country to the Devil 00:53  |  John 12/07/08   2.   Looking to the future 02:21  |  Pablo B 12/07/08   3.   So much for any peace deal between Lebanon and Israel 03:01  |  David G 12/07/08   4.   A Lebanese Tragedy 03:55  |  Laguna Geno 12/07/08   5.   welcome to Hezbanon 04:53  |  Dan 12/07/08   6.   The Lebanese state cannot live side by side with... 07:14  |  Jean Van Daem 12/07/08   7.   Oh Horrors - Democracy! 10:20  |  Mark of Lewiston 12/07/08   8.   Hizbollah: Thank you Israel! 10:30  |  Natallie Durson 12/07/08   9.   So the Hezbullies rule Lebanon 11:25  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 12/07/08   10.   With the power of Veto,.. 12:57  |  maoriboy 12/07/08   11.   Thanks to US Foreign Policy 14:20  |  MiddleStanian 12/07/08   12.   HEZBOLLAH FOREVER 17:01  |  indrajaya 12/07/08   13.   Let`s Be Honest... Just for Once... 17:16  |  Monitor 12/07/08   14.   Invade Lebanon 18:18  |  Baruch Gold 12/07/08   15.   Lebanon:Syria`s eastern province 18:44  |  Arie 12/07/08   16.   Great News 19:09  |  Nadine 12/07/08   17.   #8 Nathalie 21:24  |  Jess 12/07/08   18.   #10 DO YOU KNOW YOUR LEFT FROM YOUR RIGHT? 22:09  |  Monitor 12/07/08   19.   #4 Laguna, why do you think the Lebanese are Happy? 22:37  |  Monitor 12/07/08   20.   if we read into isreali news papers we will totally laughing 21:34  |  mouniR 13/07/08

Read & React Tehran slams McCain for saying cigarettes could be used to kill Iranians Responses: 103 Report: U.S. official says Israel has 'amber light' for Iran strike Responses: 175 Yossi Verter: However we look at 'Olmert Tours' affair, woe to us Responses: 51 Muslim charities targeted by Israel do more than fund terror Responses: 54 Zvi Bar'el: France is a friend of the Arabs because U.S. is a friend of Israel Responses: 31 Rosner's Domain Attacking Iran to get the world's attention? U.S. pressures Israel: No bombing of Iran (WTR) Did Mossad chief Meir Dagan pay a visit to the White House? (WTR) On Iraq, Obama draws to the ground of reality More Headlines 19:52 Ron Arad's family gets previously unseen photos of missing IAF navigator 21:06 Olmert vows to free Palestinian prisoners regardless of swap deals 22:26 Attorney General: It is not my job to oust prime ministers 13:58 ANALYSIS / The latest allegations, what now? 22:35 PM aide: Israel has no intention of giving Hezbollah Shaba 13:26 Report: Pentagon official says Israel has 'amber light' for Iran strike 21:36 Jewish leaders in Germany slam Holocaust omission from citizenship test 21:37 Olmert relays to Assad: Israel is serious in Syria peace efforts 22:27 IDF colonel seriously injured in parachuting accident 20:21 Israeli lifeguard stumbles upon ancient relic during morning swim 15:11 Settler arrested in failed rocket attack on Palestinian town 22:17 Gaza militants fire 2 mortar shells at Israel in further truce violation 10:00 U.S. presidential hopefuls use Hebrew to woo Jewish voters 12:28 'Murderer! You're a disgrace to the religion,' slain lawyer's mom tells alleged killer Previous Editions Select Day 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul 02 jul 01 jul 30 jun 29 jun

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