Lebanon PM forms cabinet in boost to poll chances
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-19 16:54

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati formed a new government on Tuesday, boosting chances that a May general election could be held on time as demanded by the international community and the anti-Syrian opposition.

Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati arrives at the parliament in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 18, 2005. [AP]

An official source said the new cabinet, which will be announced later in the day, was made up of political and business figures who would not be running in the poll.

A political source said the government would include 14 ministers.

The new government now has 10 days to win a confidence vote in parliament and draft and steer through the assembly an electoral law if the polls are to be held on time.

Mikati, who maintains close political and business ties to Syria, was appointed last week. Lebanon has been without a government since Feb. 28 in a crisis sparked by the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

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