New Lebanese government prepares for approval of parliament

The new Lebanese government which was announced by prime minister Fouad Sanyoura held its first meeting on Wednesday, with all its 24 members at the Republic Palace in Baabda in east Beirut.

The first session was presided over by the President Emil Lahoud. The government started preparation for its ministerial statement on the ground of which it will win the confidence of the parliament.

The new government is composed of 24 ministers including one minister for Hizbullah party while the political bloc of Michael Aoun is absent.

Concerning developments on the pardon issued by the Lebanese parliament for the leader of the former Lebanese forces militias Samir Jaajaa who is convicted of several crimes including the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rasheed Karami, Karami's family deplored the pardon decision.

Omar Karami, who was himself a former Lebanese premier said " Samir Jaajaa is the killer of Rasheed Kaami as proved by investigations and confessions, and the pardon will not change this historical fact."