Lebanon PM forms new govt, pledges financial reforms

Lebanon formed a new government on Saturday, following unusually direct US intervention in the process and in a step intended to bring the country closer to accessing reconstruction funds following a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Speaking to mediapersons at the presidential palace, new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the 24-member cabinet would prioritise financial reforms, reconstruction and the implementation of a United Nations resolution seen as a cornerstone to stability on the Lebanese border with Israel.

The announcement came after more than three weeks of talks with rival political parties in Lebanon, where government posts are parcelled out according to sect, and days of deadlock over the Shi’ite Muslim ministers, usually named by Iran-backed Hezbollah and its Shi’ite ally Amal.

But Washington has pushed back against Hezbollah’s sway in any new government. US deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus said the US considered Hezbollah’s involvement in the new cabinet a “red line” and thanked Israel for dealing devastating blows to the group.