"Formed after five months of political stalemate, the new Lebanese leadership was welcomed by President Bashar al-Assad of neighboring Syria, another Hezbollah sponsor now beset by international censure of its crackdowns of anti-regime protests.
"This government is committed to maintaining strong, brotherly ties which bind Lebanon to all Arab countries, without exception," Mikati said at the Baabda Presidential Palace.
"Let us go to work immediately according to the principles ... (of) defending Lebanon's sovereignty and its independence and liberating land that remains under the occupation of the Israeli enemy."
Mikati was appointed after Hezbollah and its allies toppled U.S.-aligned former premier Saad al-Hariri in January over a dispute involving the U.N.-backed probe into the 2005 assassination of statesman Rafik al-Hariri, Saad's father." Reuters
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Another "triumph" for US policy. We have insisted that Hizbullah is nothing but a terrorist organization and that it is not a legitimate political force. We have insisted that in spite of Hizbullah's strong showing in internationally observed elections. We pulled every lever that we could to deny Hizbullah the fruits of its last victories in parliamentary elections. This is reminiscent of our attitude towards Hamas after its electoral triumphs. Now Hizbullah is in the "driver's seat" in Lebanon. Can anyone doubt that this is the time to mend fences with Hizbullah? Can anyone doubt that our past policy has been the result of Israeli influence in the Bush and Obama Administrations?" pl
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/13/us-lebanon-government-idUSTRE75C48K20110613
PS The Germans recognized the Libyan rebels today. they are the 13th country to do so. pl
