President Aoun asks Hariri to form government

Lebanon's new president has asked former prime minister Saad al-Hariri to form a new government after the parliament speaker dropped opposition to the idea.

According to Press TV, Hariri's nomination is part of a political deal that resulted in Michel Aoun becoming head of state earlier this week.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri had opposed the deal but on Thursday he announced his decision to endorse Hariri for prime minister.

Berri indicated he would cooperate in efforts to set up the new administration. "If there was no intention to cooperate, we would not have named him," he said.

Hezbollah's MPs did not nominate anyone for the post of prime minister, but they are expected to take part in his cabinet.

Hariri is backed by Saudi Arabia which has imposed a raft of sanctions on Lebanon and withdrawn a military aid pledge to the country which is under threat from Takfiri terrorists and Israel.

He is returning to power at a time when Lebanon is facing a threat of the Syria war spillover, with Hezbollah fighters helping Damascus keep Takfiri terrorists in check. 

Like his mentor, Saudi Arabia, Hariri has backed the foreign-backed campaign to topple President Bashar al-Assad in Syria through aiding militant groups. 

SS