BEIRUT, July 19: Lebanon’s new prime minister Fuad Siniora unveiled his cabinet on Tuesday which includes for the first time a member of the Hezbollah. Mr Siniora’s cabinet, which was approved by President Emile Lahoud after three previous draft line-ups had been rejected, is the first elected government since Syria ended its three-decade military presence in April.

“It is a coherent team... chosen to overcome the challenges confronting Lebanon,” the prime minister-designate told reporters, saying he was proud to have Hezbollah in his cabinet.

“It is excellent that Hezbollah is in the government... it has a strong popular base and must be represented.”

Mr Siniora, a 62-year-old former finance minister who was a close ally of slain prime minister Rafiq Hariri, also pledged that his new government would do everything it could to improve relations with Syria.

Mr Siniora has pledged to try to rebuild national unity shaken by the killing of Mr Hariri.—AFP