Friday, June 26, 2009 BEIRUT: Saad al-Hariri, the leader of the parliamentary majority, looks set to be Lebanon's next prime minister after gathering the support of many of the members of the 128-seat body, sources have said.Hariri, who led the March 14 coalition to victory in elections earlier this month, met Hassan Nasrallah, the opposition Hezbollah leader, on Friday to discuss the shape of a new unity government."They also agreed on continuing discussion in the current positive calm atmosphere and stressed the logic of dialogue, co-operation and openness," they said in a statement released after the meeting.The meeting was only the second between the two men in the last three years.Michel Suleiman, Lebanon's president, will hold consultations with parliamentarians on Friday and Saturday to decide on the next prime minister.It has become clear that a Syrian-Saudi understanding is crucial for the formation of a consensus government headed by Saad al-Hariri.It is also an indication that Hezbollah remains a major player, even though the opposition coalition lost the elections, the party itself maintained strong support in its areas.Hariri was raised in Saudi Arabia and is seen by some in Lebanon as a symbol of Riyadh's influence in the region, which is rivalled by Damascus.
Friday, June 26, 2009 BEIRUT: Saad al-Hariri, the leader of the parliamentary majority, looks set to be Lebanon's next prime minister after gathering the support of many of the members of the 128-seat body, sources have said.Hariri, who led the March 14 coalition to victory in elections earlier this month, met Hassan Nasrallah, the opposition Hezbollah leader, on Friday to discuss the shape of a new unity government."They also agreed on continuing discussion in the current positive calm atmosphere and stressed the logic of dialogue, co-operation and openness," they said in a statement released after the meeting.The meeting was only the second between the two men in the last three years.Michel Suleiman, Lebanon's president, will hold consultations with parliamentarians on Friday and Saturday to decide on the next prime minister.It has become clear that a Syrian-Saudi understanding is crucial for the formation of a consensus government headed by Saad al-Hariri.It is also an indication that Hezbollah remains a major player, even though the opposition coalition lost the elections, the party itself maintained strong support in its areas.Hariri was raised in Saudi Arabia and is seen by some in Lebanon as a symbol of Riyadh's influence in the region, which is rivalled by Damascus.
Comments