Lebanese PM reinstalled

Lebanese PM reinstalled

Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri reinstated to form new cabinet

Lebanese parliamentarians have voted to keep Rafiq Hariri as prime minister - a day after he resigned from the post.

Ninety-three of 128 legislators were reported to have supported his re-nomination following a day of consultations with the President Emile Lahoud.

Mr Hariri said that after a brief meeting with the president he was asked to form a new 30-member cabinet.

A change of cabinet - which had been plagued by political bickering over key economic reforms and domestic politics - had been widely expected but was reportedly put off due to the crisis in Iraq.

Analysts believe the move was influenced by neighbouring Syria, and its desire to strengthen its position in the region in the face of growing tension with the US.

"The Syrians do not want to manage problems in Lebanon when they have a problem on their eastern frontier," Lebanese political commentator Michael Young was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.

"While the Syrians are watching Iraq, this is a government that is going to protect them from the back."

Representative

Mr Hariri said he would start consultations on a new cabinet on Thursday but refused to predict when he might be able to form the next government.

It is thought the new cabinet might give a voice to Christians, who make up the backbone of opposition to Syria's grip on Lebanon, although most members are likely to be pro-Syrian.

"It is necessary for the new government to represent all parties," said Arafat Hijazy, adviser to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Hariri, a dynamic 58-year-old billionaire businessman who made his fortune in Saudi Arabia, has served as prime minister since 1992, except for the years 1998-2000.

He is credited with launching a multi-billion dollar programme to rebuild Lebanon's shattered infrastructure following the long civil war.