TRIPOLI, Lebanon (Agencies)
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. |
