Lebanon's new cabinet holds its first meeting

Nov 10, 2009, 14:00 GMT

Beirut - Lebanon's newly-named cabinet held its first meeting Tuesday, aimed at ending the political impasse that has engulfed the country for more than four months.

The cabinet convened at the Baabda presidential Palace under President Michel Suleiman, with Prime Minister Saad Hariri and 29 ministers in attendance.

Social Affairs Minister Selim Saygeh, who represents the Christian Phalangist party loyal to the western- backed majority, was not present.

According to media reports, Phalange leader Amin Gemayel has expressed unhappiness with the portfolio given to his party in the new cabinet.

Gemayel wanted the education ministry, which went instead to a minister loyal to Hariri's coalition.

After the meeting, Information Minister Tarek Metri said the president highlighted the importance of solidarity in the national- unity cabinet in view of the political and socio-economic obstacles in Lebanon.

'This is an opportunity to remember that we have to build on what our predecessors have done,' Metri quoted Suleiman as telling the cabinet.

The cabinet was formed on Monday by Hariri, following months of negotiations with the Hezbollah-led opposition on the distribution of portfolios and the names of ministers.

Hariri, a Sunni Muslim, was named to head the government after his coalition won parliamentary elections last June.

The new cabinet is composed of 15 seats for the western-backed majority, 10 for the Hezbollah-led opposition and five named by the president.

Political observers expect a continuation of the conflict which prevailed between rival Lebanese factions before the cabinet was formed.

'The government in Lebanon is called a unity government, but there is no agreement yet on full unity with a clear programme,' said political analyst Rafik Khoury.