Lebanon’s new Prime Minister forming a new governmentJanuary 26, 2011 - 10:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Lebanon’s new Prime Minister, Hezbollah-backed Najib Mikati is to start consultations to form a new government. Mikati is expected to meet with former prime ministers and political figures in order to talk about the formation of the coming government. He was designated by President Michel Suleiman on January 25, after he secured 68 votes in the parliamentary consultations to nominate new PM, while his opponent, the now former PM Saad Hariri got 60 votes. Mikati’s appointment came amid a “day of rage” by Hariri’s supporters who took to streets and attacked media crews and caused violent across Lebanon in protest of Hariri’s failure to secure enough votes in order to remain in the premiership post. After he was nominated, Mikati, who is considered as a relative moderate, offered to cooperate with the various Lebanese political parties to confront major challenges facing the country, abna.ir reports. 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. |