Lahoud appoints Sanyoura to form new government

Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud on Thursday appointed former Finance Minister Fouad al-Sanyoura to head the new Lebanese government after the resignation of former Premier Najib Miqati.

Lebanese National News Agency said that the appointing of Sanyoura to form the cabinet came after the end of parliamentary consultations held at Baabda Presidential Palace.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud held Israel responsible for escalating tension in south Lebanon yesterday.

"Lebanese Foreign Ministry has informed the UN Security Council of the Israeli aggressions on the Lebanese territories yesterday in violation of Lebanon sovereignty and airspace," Hammoud said following a meeting with French Ambassador in Beirut Bernard Emie.

Emie, for his part, condemned the Israeli warplanes violations of Lebanese lands and airspace, calling on sides concerned "to restraint and bring the situation back to normal." In this context, the Israeli warplanes renewed violations of Lebanese sovereignty and airspace flying over the southern areas.

Lebanese National News Agency reported that the warplanes flew morning over villages of Bent Jbiel and the border regions as well as Israeli military vehicles were seen moving.

On the other side, the National Media Council in Lebanon renewed condemnation of preventing a Lebanese TV Satellite Channel, al-Manar, from broadcasting in Europe. "we call on Lebanese and Arab media institutions to take a unified stance over the halt of al-Manar Channel in Europe, particularly because the targeted station is not only al-Manar but Arab media in general.

He underlined that al-Manar is a national Lebanese consensus issue, as well it is protected by Lebanese laws.