Beirut - Saba:
The Lebanese presidency on Saturday said a new government of 24 ministers had been formed, headed by Nawaf Salam, after weeks of intensive consultations.
The presidency said in a statement that "President (Joseph) Aoun signed the decree accepting the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Mikati's government, and the decree assigning Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to form the government, and signed with the prime minister-designate the decree forming a government of 24 ministers."
In addition, the new Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed in a speech he gave on Saturday that the new government will implement economic reforms, which will bring the country closer to accessing reconstruction and investment funds.
Salam said Lebanon will implement UN Resolution 1701, which ended a previous war between Hezbollah and the Zionist entity in 2006.
In his speech, he said, "Now that we have announced the government, which I hope will be a government of reform and salvation... I would like to emphasize the following points... First, that reform is the only path to real salvation."
He added that the government will work to "secure security and stability in Lebanon by completing the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement and following up on the withdrawal of the Zionist entity to the last inch of Lebanese territory, in conjunction with reconstruction."
"This government will seek to restore confidence between citizens and the state, between Lebanon and its Arab surroundings, and between Lebanon and the international community."
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