Lebanon’s president names Hariri as premier
June 27th, 2009 - 8:36 pm ICT by IANSBeirut, June 27 (DPA) Saad Hariri was designated Saturday Lebanon’s new prime minister after his anti-Syrian coalition won the majority in parliament earlier this month.
Hariri was nominated Saturday by 86 of the 128-member parliament, the opposition led by Shia militant group Hezbollah abstained in the vote, but said if Hariri was designated “we will work with him”.
Hariri is to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Fouad Seniora, a member of Hariri’s Future Current movement.
Hariri’s coalition won 71 seats in this month’s parliamentary election against 57 won by a coalition led by Hezbollah, which is supported by Syria and Iran.
Hezbollah and their allies are insisting that Hariri form a national unity government.
But Hariri’s majority bloc insists it will only accept a unity government if the Hezbollah alliance does not get veto power, as it did in the outgoing cabinet.
Hariri, 39, is the son and political heir of the late premier Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated in a massive 2005 bombing that was widely blamed on Syria, a charge Damascus still denies.
- Lebanon's election is crucial: Clinton - Apr 26, 2009
- Lebanon marks fourth anniversary of Hariri killing - Feb 14, 2009
- Syria was shocked at top Hezbollah operative's assassination two yrs back: Wikileaks - Dec 08, 2010
- Lebanese opposition shies from renaming Hariri as premier - Sep 15, 2009
- Lebanese leader denies inciting unrest in Syria - Apr 14, 2011
- One dead after attacks following Hariri rally - Feb 16, 2009
- Saad Hariri tipped to become Lebanon's new prime minister - May 23, 2008
- Lebanon on high alert ahead of Hariri tribunal hearing - Feb 28, 2009
- Riots erupt in Lebanon after designation of Hezbollah's Mikati as PM - Jan 26, 2011
- UN tribunal frees four accused in Hariri case - Apr 29, 2009
- Lebanese Shias mourning death of leader Fadlallah (Lead) - Jul 04, 2010
- UN calls on new Lebanese government to cooperate with Special Tribunal over former PM murder - Jan 29, 2011
- Lebanon opens embassy in Damascus for first time - Mar 16, 2009
- US envoy warns against rearming Lebanon's Hezbollah - Dec 18, 2008
- US says talks with Syria 'constructive' - Mar 08, 2009
Tags: allies, beirut, bloc, damascus, fouad seniora, hezbollah, june 27, lebanon, member parliament, militant group, national unity government, new prime minister, opposition, parliament, parliamentary election, political heir, president names, rafik hariri, syria and iran, veto power