Najib Mikati named Lebanon's new PM

Najib Mikati was named as Lebanon's new prime minister on Monday with 72 votes in parliament, reported Xinhua, quoting MTV TV channel.

Mikati gave a speech following his appointment, calling upon all political parties to cooperate with him on finding the right solutions to the country's crises.

"The vote of confidence by Members of Parliament is necessary for my appointment but I am keen to gain the confidence of the Lebanese population, every man and woman, and the youths," Mikati said at Baabda Palace following his meeting with President Michel Aoun.

Mikati said he has received international guarantees and he aims to implement the French initiative.

"I do not have a magic wand; this is a very difficult mission. It will succeed only if we manage to cooperate together by avoiding political bickering and useless accusations," he said.

Most of Lebanon's political parties supported Mikati's premiership, including the Future Movement, Amal Movement, Hezbollah, Marada Movement and Progressive Socialist Party. However, Mikati faced opposition from the country's two main Christian parties, the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces.

Mikati's appointment comes a few days following the resignation of Saad Hariri as prime minister-designate for failing to form a non-partisan cabinet in the crisis-torn country.

The country has been without a cabinet since Aug. 10, 2020 when caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned in reaction to the Beirut port's blasts which killed over 200 people and wounded thousands of others.

Saad Hariri was appointed as new premier on Oct. 22, 2020 but he failed to form a new cabinet given his differences with President Aoun over distribution of ministerial shares.

Lebanon has been going through the worst economic and financial crisis in its history and the political vacuum during the past year contributed to worsening the country's multiple woes.

Lebanon is in dire need for a cabinet capable of implementing structural reforms to unlock aid by the international community and stop further collapse.