Off the wire
• Feature: Rising rent chokes the poor in Kenya  • Kenya, Tanzania leaders launch China-funded bypass in Nairobi  • Fire at karaoke lounge kills 13 in Vietnam  • Iraqi forces recapture state TV building in battle for Mosul  • Ray Allen announces retirement from NBA  • Champ Biwott eyes to redeem career with victory in New York marathon  • Nigerian troops rescue 38 women, children from Boko Haram terrorists  • Foreign exchange rate of Euro to other currencies  • China, Malaysia sign infrastructure, defense deals  • Roundup: Experts push for increased energy access in Africa  
You are here: 　 Home

Two parliamentary blocs name Hariri for Lebanon's premier

Xinhua, November 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

The "Future" and the "Change and Reform" parliamentary blocs announced their nomination of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Tuesday in order to head the new Lebanese government.

Following the "Future" parliamentary bloc's meeting, MP Ammar Houri read a statement that "the Future Bloc stands by Saad Hariri in his mission as the head of the next government and looks forward to positive results from the cooperation between President Michel Aoun and Premier Saad Hariri, in line with the provisions of the Constitution and the Taif agreement."

Aoun was elected president on Monday, ending a presidential void of two and a half years.

Aoun's presidential chances were largely boosted by a key endorsement from Hariri.

Binding parliamentary consultations by the president in order to name the new premier will be held on Wednesday and Thursday.

President Michel Aoun's "Change and Reform" bloc also announced on Tuesday that its members will vote for Saad Hariri on Wednesday to pick the new premier.

"All of our votes will go to Hariri because he has recognized our presence. We will stand by him in the difficulties that he might face. We recognize whoever recognizes us and we reject whoever rejects us," Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil said after the bloc's weekly meeting in Rabieh.

"The bloc will try to be more active in its work and its support for the president," added Bassil. Endit