Lebanon 'set to announce cabinet'

Hezbollah is set to take two cabinet seats, sources say

Lebanon is reported to be on the verge of announcing the formation of a new government, following months of political deadlock.

The breakthrough, if confirmed, ends weeks of arguments over cabinet posts between the pro-Western majority coalition and Hezbollah-led opposition.

It was reportedly brokered by the government of Qatar.

Correspondents say a cautious optimism is returning, only weeks after Lebanon seemed to be at risk of civil war.

In May violence erupted on the streets of Beirut, after the government introduced measures meant to curtail the power of Hezbollah. Some 65 people were killed.

Those measures were reversed and after talks led by Qatar, the two sides agreed to form a unity government, within which Hezbollah would have a blocking minority.

Days after the agreement, parliament elected a new President, Michel Suleiman.

Sensitive talks

According to sources from both sides, the new government could be announced soon.

It would have two Hezbollah ministers, in addition to nine ministers from the group's Shia Muslim, Druze and Christian allies, sources told Reuters.

The 11 cabinet seats would be enough, under Lebanon's complex system, to block decisions in the 30-member cabinet.

The ruling coalition would have 16 ministers in the cabinet, while the remaining three would be picked by the the president.

Mr Suleiman is expected to choose the interior and defence ministers personally, the sources said.

He will then convene talks with the leaders of the rival factions to address sensitive issues, including Hezbollah's guerrilla forces.

Hezbollah insists it needs to keep its weapons to counter any threat from Israel, while its critics say it should leave defence to the Lebanese army.