New Lebanon Cabinet boosts poll prospects

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati formed a new government on Tuesday and said he would immediately seek the removal of pro-Syrian security chiefs in a key concession to the country’s opposition.

The developments boosted chances that a parliamentary election could take place as scheduled in May in line with international and opposition demands. Mikati said the 14-member cabinet is made up of ministers who would not be running in the poll. The new government now has 10 days to win a confidence vote in parliament and draft and steer through the Assembly an electoral law if the polls are to be held before the outgoing parliament’s term expires on May 31.

Mikati was appointed last week with surprise support from the anti-Syrian opposition after failed attempts by the outgoing premier, Omar Karami, to form a new administration. ‘‘I have demanded the resignation of the security chiefs when I was (lawmaker) Najib Mikati,’’ the new PM said.

Lebanon has been without a government since February 28 in a crisis sparked by the killing of former PM Rafik Al-Hariri, which many Lebanese have blamed on Syria.