| Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud shakes hands with Prime Minister-Designate Fuad Saniora, right, following his appointment, at the presidential palace in Baabda |
Fuad Siniora won the approval of nearly every member of the 128-member parliament before President Emile Lahoud formally named him prime minister Thursday.
Parliament's largest bloc of legislators, the Future Bloc, headed by Saad Hariri, the son of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, nominated Mr. Siniora for the post. The coalition said Mr. Siniora would carry out Rafik Hariri's reform and development programs.
Fuad Siniora's appointment follows the re-election of speaker Nabih Berri, a staunch pro-Syrian and supporter of the militant group Hezbollah, who has held the post since 1992.
Leaders of anti-Syrian blocs say Mr. Berri has pledged to support reform efforts.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
