Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman appointed Saad Al-Hariri as prime minister-designate Saturday, charging him with the tough task of forming a new government that would turn the page on four years of turmoil. Suleiman issued a presidential decree designating Hariri, son of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, after 86 parliamentarians in the 128-seat assembly nominated him for the post. “According to the constitution and after the president consulted with the speaker of parliament and parliamentarians, he (Lebanese President Michel Sleiman) summoned Saad Hariri and tasked him with forming a new government,” a statement said. Hariri's March 14 alliance won 71 out of parliament's 128 seats in June 7 parliamentary elections while a rival alliance, led by Hezbollah, secured 57 seats. Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system reserves the premiership for a Sunni. In a sign of the difficulties the 39-year-old leader faces in forming a cabinet acceptable to all sides, Hezbollah and its Christian allies refrained from nominating him. Only 15 out of the minority alliance's 57 deputies backed him in two days of consultations with Suleiman, adding to support from Hariri's 71 deputies . The main stumbling block facing Hariri is likely to be demands by Hezbollah and its allies that they hold veto power in a new unity government. Hariri rejects such a veto but will seek to get the minority to participate in the government. Hariri has been keen on securing the backing of his powerful Shi'ite rivals to ensure a smooth launch for his administration. While he has more than an ample majority in parliament, he is bound by an agreement with all parties to “preserve a spirit of consensus.” Berri, who was re-elected to a fifth consecutive term as speaker on Thursday, said he nominated Hariri on condition he form another unity government. “I would like to see a government in which March 14 and March 8 are melded together,” Berri said. Under the current government, headed by Fuad Siniora, Hezbollah and its allies have veto power.
