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Lebanese government gains vote of confidence

Xinhua, December 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

Lebanon's government headed by Prime Minister Saad Hariri won the parliamentary vote of confidence after 87 legislators voted in favor, four members of parliament (MPs) against, and one abstention on Wednesday.

Kataeb MPs Sami Gemayel, Nadim Gemayel and Samer Saadeh, and MP Khaled Daher voted against while the only al-Jamaa al-Islamiya MP Imad al-Hout, abstained.

Only 92 out of the 126 legislators attended the voting session.

Hariri responded to the MPs' remarks on Tuesday during the debate over his government's policy statement, saying "We thank the Lebanese army and security forces for the sacrifices they made. I hereby vow that the government will follow-up on the issue of the detained servicemen until they return safely to their homes."

"I confirm that there some contentious issues similar to the arms issue" he said referring to Hizbullah's arms without directly mentioning it.

"We want a new electoral law. Each one of us has a role in that regard," he added.

Hariri also pointed out "I believe no one objects to women's parliamentary quota. We have stressed our commitment to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL). The STL was primarily established to achieve justice."

Hariri was tasked with forming the first government of President Michel Aoun's term, who was elected Lebanon's thirteenth President on Oct. 31.

Lebanon endured a two-year presidential vacuum since the end of former President Michel Suleiman's six-year tenure on May 25th, 2014. Endit