New Lebanese government formed

President Michel Sleiman (R) with Najib Mikati in January

Reuters/Dalati Nohra/Handout

By RFI

Lebanon’s prime minister-designate Najib Mikati on Monday announced the formation of a new 30-member cabinet in which Shia-Muslim-based Hezbollah and its allies hold the majority.

The billionnaire Sunni businessman announced his government line-up after nearly five months of negotiations over key portfolios, including the interior, justice and telecommunication ministries.

Mikati promised that his cabinet represent all Lebanese.

His predecessor, the Western-backed Saad Hariri, was forced to resign in January after Hezbollah and its allies pulled out of the national unity government.

Hezbollah, which has its own militias, has links to Iran and Syria.

It leads the 8 March Alliance, which also includes Maronite Christian and Druze-based parties.