Lebanese PM-designate vows to speed up formation of new government

 Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati said Thursday he will employ all options to expedite the formation of a new cabinet, as the country enters its fifth month under a caretaker government.

"I admit that the Lebanese are asking questions about reasons behind the delay in forming the government, and they are right," Mikati told a delegation of traders who visited him at his residence in Beirut.

"I can assure you today that I will study and discuss all initiatives and options based on the Constitution," he added.

Mikati was appointed on Jan. 25 by the March 8 alliance, led by Shiite armed group Hezbollah, to form a new government, after the cabinet led by former prime minister Saad Hariri collapsed following a dispute over a controversial UN-backed court.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), which is probing the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri, is widely expected to implicate members of Hezbollah, drawing fears of sectarian strife erupting in Lebanon. Hezbollah has repeatedly denied involvement.

"My approach in forming a government is based on preserving stability and preventing strife, according to the Constitution," Mikati said, adding that his first priority is to establish a stable and trustworthy atmosphere in Lebanon to attract investors.

Mikati is still struggling to answer the tough demands voiced by parties involved in the formation of the new cabinet.

The prime minister-designate told traders he was ready to cooperate with all factions in the March 8 and the Western-backed March 14 alliance.

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