Lebanon's parliament approved a new government by a wide margin Saturday, giving its vote of confidence to the first Cabinet in years to be dominated by anti-Syrian politicians, tasked with tackling economic and security problems and repairing strained ties with Damascus.
Prime Minister Fuad Saniora put together the Cabinet after the anti-Syrian coalition seized a parliament majority in June elections, further crumbling Syria's once overwhelming domination of Lebanon. Syrian troops withdrew from the country in April.
The 128-member Parliament approved the government by a vote of 92-14, with two abstentions. Most of the "no" votes came from anti-Syrian Christian leader General Michel Aoun's parliament bloc. Aoun was left out of Saniora's government. The Cabinet lineup includes for the first time a member of the militant Hezbollah group, which Washington brands a terrorist organization.
Addressing Parliament Saturday before the vote, Saniora renewed his pledge to carry out political reforms and improve relations with Syria, strained after it was forced to end its 29-year military presence in Lebanon.
"We, as a homogenous and united government, are committed to follow the reform path and open up to the young," he said.
"We need reforms. We need security, political, economic and social stability," he said.
Lebanon has seen a string of bomb assassinations targeting mainly anti-Syrian politicians and other figures in recent months. Other bombings targeted shopping and commercial areas in Christian areas, killing three people and injuring more than 40.
One of the toughest challenges facing Saniora's government is how to deal with Syria. Saniora said he would visit Damascus on yesterday for talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad and other officials on improving relations.
After the vote, Saniora said he was "hopeful that we will have excellent discussions to the best of the two countries. Lebanon and Syria are brotherly countries, very friendly."
In past weeks, Syria has clamped what many Lebanese say amounts to a land blockade on its smaller neighbor, holding up hundreds of transit trucks on Lebanese-Syrian border crossings. Syria says the measures are aimed at catching saboteurs and militants but many Lebanese believe Syria is trying to exact revenge following the withdrawal of its troops.
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