BEIRUT // Lebanon on Saturday announced the formation of a compromise government after a 10-month political vacuum during which the war in neighbouring Syria exacerbated longstanding divisions.
The 24-member government unites the powerful Shiite movement Hizbollah and its allies with the Sunni-led bloc of former prime minister Saad Hariri for the first time in three years.
“After 10 months of efforts, of patience, a government protecting the national interest is born,” said Tammam Salam, Lebanon’s new prime minister.
“It is a unifying government and the best formula to allow Lebanon to confront challenges,” said Mr Salam, who was tasked with forming the government in April 2013 after the resignation of his predecessor, Najib Mikati.
The political stalemate left Lebanon without a government even as the Syrian conflict spilled across the border, with bomb attacks in Beirut and elsewhere.
Multiple attempts to resolve the government crisis stumbled over disagreements between the Hizbollah and Hariri blocs, which back opposing sides in the Syrian conflict.
Hizbollah is allied with Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad and has dispatched fighters to bolster his regime in its fight against an uprising.
Mr Hariri is a fierce opponent of the government in Damascus and backs the Sunni-led uprising against Mr Al Assad.
Saturday’s compromise, which has been months in the making, is intended to ensure that neither the Hizbollah nor the Hariri bloc has veto power over the other.
It divides the 24 portfolios into three groups, with the Hizbollah and Hariri blocs each taking eight ministries, and the final eight going to candidates considered to be neutral.
To preserve the delicate balance between the country’s 18 sects, the government is also equally divided between Christian and Muslim representatives.
Mr Hariri paved the way for the breakthrough when he announced in a U-turn last month that he was willing to allow his so-called March 14 bloc to join a government with Hizbollah.
The decision was a bitter pill for the former prime minister, who is fiercely opposed to Hizbollah.
Five members of the group are currently on trial in absentia at a special court in The Hague for their alleged involvement in the 2005 assassination of his father, former prime minister Rafiq Hariri.
Mr Hariri’s decision has not been welcomed by all those in his bloc, with the Christian party Lebanese Forces refusing to join any government that includes Hizbollah.
Sources within March 14 said Mr Hariri had made a number of “concessions” to Hizbollah, which won several key portfolios for its Christian ally Michel Aoun.
His son-in-law Gebran Bassil becomes foreign minister, and fellow bloc member Arthur Nazarian will be in charge of the powerful energy ministry.
Mr Hariri also reportedly compromised on two initial candidates for interior minister, both of which were rejected by Hizbollah’s bloc, party sources said.
Mr Hariri has said his decision was justified by the country’s desperate need for leadership as it struggles with the spillover from the war in Syria.
In recent months, a string of bomb attacks have rocked the capital Beirut and other parts of the country.
The attacks have largely targeted areas considered Hizbollah strongholds, though the victims have been civilians, and have been claimed by Islamist militant groups in response to the movement’s role in Syria’s war.
* Agence France Presse
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
Kandahar%20
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
MATCH INFO
Bangla Tigers 108-5 (10 ovs)
Ingram 37, Rossouw 26, Pretorius 2-10
Deccan Gladiators 109-4 (9.5 ovs)
Watson 41, Devcich 27, Wiese 2-15
Gladiators win by six wickets
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
Company%20Profile
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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