Lebanese President begins consultations to pick new PMApril 5, 2013 - 18:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Lebanese President Michel Suleiman has begun two days of consultations with lawmakers to pick a new Prime Minister, but a consensus has already emerged to choose Tammam Salam for the post, The Associated Press reported. Salam, a lawmaker from Beirut and a former culture minister, is widely expected to be appointed by Suleiman as the new prime minister this weekend after securing the support of a majority of lawmakers. Outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati resigned last month over a political deadlock between Lebanon's two main political camps and infighting in his government. Mikati's government was dominated by the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah group and its allies. Although leaning toward the Western-backed anti-Hezbollah coalition, Salam, who comes from a prominent Sunni Muslim family, is seen as a consensus figure. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |