U.S. to Judge New Govt 'By Its Actions'

The United States said Monday it would judge the new Lebanese government "by its actions" following the announcement of a 30-member cabinet dominated by Hizbullah and its allies.

"We'll judge it by its actions," U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.

"What's important in our mind is that the new Lebanese government abides by the Lebanese constitution, that it renounces violence, including efforts to exact retribution against former government officials, and lives up to all its international obligations," he said.

He also urged the new government to support the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).

After five months of deliberations, Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Monday announced the formation of a 30-member cabinet in which Hizbullah and its allies hold a majority.

Since his appointment in January with Hizbullah's blessing, Miqati has declined to spell out whether his government will cease all cooperation with the STL.

Hizbullah is viewed as a “terrorist group” by the United States, which has accused Syria and Iran of arming it with increasingly sophisticated rockets and other weapons for use against Israel.