Hezbollah gains controlling role in Lebanon government
The Shiite militia group fills key Cabinet posts and has veto power over major decisions. The prime minister hopes for a 'return to normal life.'
BEIRUT — Two months after fighting in the capital left scores dead, squabbling Lebanese factions on Friday formed a new Cabinet that gives the Shiite militia Hezbollah and its allies control over key ministries and the power to veto major decisions.
The newly formed Cabinet will serve only until the middle of next year, when elections may determine whether Hezbollah and its allies, which are supported by Iran and Syria, or the Western-backed coalition led by Sunni leader Saad Hariri will take control of the country in the coming years.
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said that the new 30-member government would try to restore confidence in Lebanon's political system and prepare for the next elections.
"There were two options ahead of me, either to move toward the unknown or to form a government in order to overcome the current period and return to normal life," Siniora said after the announcement of the new Cabinet. "Lebanon will emerge from this crisis stronger."
Lebanon's leaders must address an economic crisis and Hezbollah's formidable arsenal of weapons.
An accord brokered in Qatar in May ended the armed conflict and led to the nomination of a president. The deal gave the Hezbollah-led faction veto power over government decisions.
In all, Hezbollah and its allies received 11 ministries, including those of labor, youth and sports, foreign affairs, and health and industry. Hezbollah's Christian ally, lawmaker Michel Aoun, was granted key service agencies including telecommunications, agriculture and power.
Control of these highly visible ministries gives Aoun a chance to show his administrative acumen to Christian voters. Aoun did not participate in the previous government.
The Hariri-led coalition received 16 ministries, including finance, economy and trade, and transportation.
"We are making sacrifices in the interests of the country," said Hariri, the parliament majority leader, who is backed by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
The formation of the government took almost five weeks because of disagreements over the distribution of posts.
President Michel Suleiman, the former army chief named president in May, filled two main ministries in the new government -- defense and interior. Elias Murr remained the defense minister, although Hezbollah had objected to his nomination earlier, accusing him of belonging to the pro-U.S. camp.
The sensitive Interior Ministry, which will supervise the 2009 parliamentary elections, was given to prominent lawyer Ziad Baroud.
The formation of the government comes as Suleiman prepares to leave tomorrow for France on his first official visit as head of state.
Under Lebanon's political system, power is shared among Christians, Sunnis, Shiites and Druze. The country is polarized between two camps led by Sunnis and Shiites. Christians are divided between the two groups.
Earlier this week, five people were killed in sectarian fighting in the northern city of Tripoli before the army intervened.
