Cabinet split equally between countrys two main opposing factions
Prime Minister Tammam Salam presented Lebanons new cabinet on 15 February.
The 24-member cabinet, which Salam will be heading, is split equally between the countrys two main opposing factions the Hezbollah-led 8 March movement and the Western-backed 14 March-movement led by the Future Movement. It also includes several centrist figures.
The formation of the cabinet puts an end to a 10-month stalemate in which the government found itself ill-equipped in dealing with the spillover of Syrias war. Sectarian violence has increased in the country over the past year, while the influx of Syrian refugees since 2011 has led to tensions with the Lebanese population.
Amid these challenges, the cabinet will have to oversee the presidential elections by parliament in spring, work on the creation of a new election law and prepare for general elections, which were delayed in June 2013.
But it remains to be seen how effective the new cabinet will be as there is little cohesion between Lebanons major coalitions. Each supports a different side of the Syrian war while Hezbollah has sent fighters to support the Syrian regime, the 14 March movement is aligned with the Syrian opposition, with some groups providing aid to rebel groups.
The political tensions led to the resignation of Salams predecessor, Najib Mikati, in April 2013.
You might also like...
McDermott completes financial restructuring exercise
28 March 2024
Region heads for hotel boom
28 March 2024
Lowest bidders emerge for Kuwait housing project
28 March 2024
Redcon wins Red Sea Triple Bay infrastructure deal
28 March 2024
A MEED Subscription...
Subscribe or upgrade your current MEED.com package to support your strategic planning with the MENA region’s best source of business information. Proceed to our online shop below to find out more about the features in each package.