Blast kills Lebanese soldier, cause unknown

Lebanese Prime Minister designate Fouad Siniora continued his meetings and consultations with MPs and leaders of political blocks to form the new national unity government, as a soldier was killed early Saturday in a blast at an army intelligence post near the northern city of Tripoli.

A security official said it was unclear what caused the blast that took place around 5:00 am (0200 GMT) in the Abdeh area located near the northern entrance of the city.

The incident took place as Lebanon seeks to move ahead with the formation of a new government of national unity following a deal to end an 18-month political crisis that brought the country to the brink of civil war.

The deal struck in Qatar between the Western-backed ruling bloc and the Hezbollah-led opposition called for the election of army chief Michel Sleiman as president, the formation of a cabinet of national unity in which the opposition has veto power over key decisions and a new electoral law.

Sleiman was elected last Sunday and he appointed incumbent Siniora to head the new government.

The new cabinet gives Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah and its allies the power to block key decisions. But its advent will also be another step towards reviving state institutions after an 18-month political crisis that paralyzed government and pushed the country to the brink of civil war.