Lahoud begins process of forming new government

Just after one day after his inauguration, President Emil Lahoud of Lebanon met on Wednesday with outgoing Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who is expected to be invited to form the next Lebanese government.

A Presidential statement issued after the meeting said Lahoud would begin consultations with members of the 128-seat Lebanese parliament on Thursday and Friday on the selection of the new Prime Minister. Lahoud has asked Hariri's Cabinet to serve in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.

Lahoud has stressed his strong belief in the unity of the Lebanese and Syrian peace tracks in order to reach comprehensive and just solution to the Middle East issue.

Upon his meeting with the delegation of the World Press Union, Lahoud said on Wednesday that the unity of the Syrian and Lebanese tracks would strengthen the Lebanese position and enable it avoid great disasters.

He stressed the need of the Israeli occupation troops to withdraw from the southern part of Lebanon and its western Bekaa in implementation of UN Security Council resolution 425.