Lebanon PM: New government to liberate land under occupation of 'Israeli enemy'
Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati announces long-delayed new government dominated by allies of Iran-backed Hezbollah, which is likely to cause alarm among Western powers.
By Reuters Tags: Lebanon HezbollahLebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced on Monday a long-delayed new government dominated by allies of Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which is likely to cause alarm among Western powers.
Mikati was appointed to form a government after Hezbollah and its allies toppled Western-backed former premier Saad al-Hariri's coalition in January over a dispute involving the United Nations backed tribunal investigating the assassination of statesman Rafik 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 Lebanon's sovereignty and its independence and liberating land that remains under the occupation of the Israeli enemy," Mikati said at the Baabda Presidential Palace.
Political wrangling had held up the formation of the cabinet, including disagreements over sensitive posts.
Mohammed Safadi, the former economy minister, was named finance minister and will try to improve Lebanon's growth outlook which stands at about 2.5 percent this year, driven down by the political stalemate.
Fayez Ghusn was named defense minister and Marwan Charbel as the interior minister. Nicolas Sehnawi was given the telecommunications portfolio, a post ridden with controversy due to disagreements over privatizing the sector.
Hariri, who is supported by the West and Saudi Arabia, has refused to join Mikati's government.
A main aim of the government will be to agree on a unified stand to face indictments by the tribunal expected to implicate members of Hezbollah in the 2005 killing of 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.
Syrian President Bashar 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 Hezbollah, the main player in the political coalition which helped bring Mikati to power in January.
"This government is committed to maintaining strong, brotherly ties which bind Lebanon to all Arab countries without exception," Mikati said.
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New Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, speaks after the announcing the new cabinet in Lebanon on June 13, 2011. |
| Photo by: AP |
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An other muslim error-----
In the meanwhile, Saad Hariri fled Lebanon. A Kuwaiti newspaper reported, that US officials identified a plan to assassinate him. French and Saudi security also warned that there’s a threat on his life. Apparently, Hariri’s convoy was monitored by Hezbollah or Syrian Intelligence at the Beirut airport. Ironically, this was the way his father was killed. Let’s not kid ourselves, Beirut is a beautiful place... but if you’re on the wrong side of power. Your life is not worth much.
An other muslim error-----
Anyone remember this one :"I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings."
Another maniac in power.
Netanyahu is also Ultra right maniac. So,it does not make any difference.
Netanyahu is also Ultra right maniac. So,it does not make any difference.
what does the liberal left have to say now? pathetic they will probably say it's the settlers faults
what does forming a government in lebanon have to do with "the liberal left". Pathetic.
"Walid Jumblatt, the Druse politician whose votes proved crucial in electing Mr. Miqati, said Mr. Hariri had failed 'to see the realities on the ground'." - NYTimes// The dramatic turn of events in Lebanon was not foreordained at all. Saad Hariri is the chief Sunni politician in Lebanon, in a country where chiefs are followed by the masses of their sect. So how did he lose the prime-ministership, and how did the US lose while the Syria-Iran axis won? As Walid Jumblatt is saying, there is a reality on the ground. That reality is that Hizballah is a strong militia, being pushed to the corner by the UN investigation of Papa Hariri's assassination and determined to prevent a trial where it might be found guilty. One option for Hizballah was to try and take over Lebanon by force, which would have sparked a new civil war. The Druze had nothing to gain from such a civil war. They opted to prevent it. Indeed, Saad Hariri himself understood the situation and at some point agreed to pull Lebanon out of the international court (which might put an end to it). And then came the US on a white horse, bearing the gift of "justice for all". Obama and Hillary pressured Hariri to stick with "justice". (In fact, they astonishingly continued with that line even AFTER the Hariri government fell.) Hariri complied, so the Druze had to bring him down in order to prevent the catastrophe that the US was engineeing. The rest is history. Basic lesson for all doctors and diplomats: If the cure has side effects that are worse than the disease, don't use it. So trivial for doctors, so hard for lawyers who specialize in justice. The truly sad thing is that the consequences were so obvious from the start.
This teaches that talkbacks are sometimes important. Logios was warning of this very eventuality even back then.
Talkbacks are sometimes not all about hot air, ignorance and vanity. Logios had been warning of this very eventuality months ago as i remember.