The 14 new ministers will not run in upcoming elections. Let us hope in a quick return to stability, says Patriarch Sfeir.

Beirut (AsiaNews) – Premier-designate Najib Miqati, President Émile Lahoud and National Assembly Speaker Nabih Berri agreed on the terms for Lebanon's new cabinet.

The country had been without a government since February 28 when the outgoing cabinet of now former Prime Minister Omar Karami quit following street demonstrations caused by the death of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who was killed in a bomb attack two weeks before in Beirut.

In a press conference, Miqati announced that the new cabinet was made up of political figures and business leaders who will not run in the next elections, which are scheduled for May.

"For this reason," the caretaker Prime Minister said, "the government will be able to organise free parliamentary elections".

The new cabinet is evenly split between Christian and Muslim ministers as called for in the 1989 Taef Accord.

Christian Ilyas al-Murr, who was Mr Hariri's Interior Minister in 2002, will be Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence

Mahmoud Hammoud, a Muslim, retains the Foreign Affairs portfolio.

Hassan al-Sabaa, a Muslim who is close to the Hariri family, becomes the Interior Minister.

Eliane Khattar, a Christian financial expert, takes over the Ministry of Finance.

The Justice portfolio falls to a Muslim judge, Khalid Qabbani.

Presidential advisor Charles Rizk, a Christian, takes over the Ministry of information.

Alain Taburyan, also a Christian, becomes the Minister of Telecommunications

Another Christian, Ghassan Salamah, a former advisor to Hariri, will be in charge of Education.

Muhammad Jawad Khalifah, a Muslim, will have two portfolios: Public Health and Social Affairs.

Adil Hamieh, another Muslim, takes over Public Works.

Bassem Yamine, a Christian, is the Minister of Energy and Water

Trad Hamaded, a Muslim, becomes Minister of Labour and Agriculture

Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir welcomed the new line-up, expressing hope that the political situation will quickly become stable. (YH)

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