Hariri, Miqati Congratulate Lebanese on Formation of Cabinet

Former PM Saad Hariri congratulated on Saturday the new PM Tammam Salam on the formation of a cabinet, praising his patience and wisdom after a 10-month political vacuum in the country.

“I hope that the new government heralds well-beginning for Lebanon and the Lebanese, and that it is able to face the constitutional and national entitlements at this critical stage the nation is witnessing,” said Hariri.

Similarly, former PM Najib Miqati congratulated the Lebanese on the cabinet's lineup and said that “the political, security and economic challenges we are facing at this stage require cooperation among the political parties to fortify Lebanon and protect it from dangers.”

He also voiced hopes that the future contacts accelerate the operational steps in order for the new cabinet to achieve confidence in the parliament.

The formation announcement ended a 10-month political deadlock during which Lebanon's security situation has deteriorated sharply.

Car and suicide bomb attacks linked to the conflict in Syria have rocked several parts of the capital Beirut, as well as other areas of the country.

The new 24-member government includes both the powerful Hizbullah group and its allies and bloc of former PM Hariri, uniting them for the first time in three years.