BEIRUT: Lebanon’s president asked Sunni leader Saad Al-Hariri to form a new government on Thursday, after he won the support of a majority of MPs including the influential parliament speaker who said he would cooperate with efforts to set up the new cabinet.
Hariri’s nomination is part of a political deal that resulted in the election of Christian leader Michel Aoun, a close ally of the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, as head of state on Monday, ending a 2-1/2 year long presidential vacuum.
The quick formation of a new administration with cross-party support will help revive government in a country where political conflict has paralyzed decision-making, economic development and basic services, and raised fears for its stability.
The central bank governor said Aoun’s election and the formation of a government would boost confidence in the economy and attract foreign aid: Lebanon is hosting some 1.5 million refugees from the war in neighboring Syria.
Hariri, 46, said he aimed for the quick formation of a government of “national accord.”
Speaking at the presidency, he said “we owe it to the Lebanese to start working as soon as possible to protect our country from the flames burning around it, to reinforce its immunity in the face of terrorism.”
Lebanon has been buffeted by instability from the war in neighboring Syria, where Hezbollah is fighting in support of President Bashar Assad. Jihadists have mounted attacks in Lebanon targeting Shiite areas and the army.
Underscoring Hezbollah’s continued mistrust of Hariri, who remains critical of its role in Syria, the group did not name him as prime minister, though it is expected to take part in his cabinet.
Support from Berri
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, head of the Shiite Amal movement and close Hezbollah ally, had come out in opposition to the deal struck by Hariri and Aoun, voicing objections that had threatened to obstruct the formation of the new government.
But announcing his decision to endorse Hariri for prime minister on Thursday, Berri indicated he would cooperate in efforts to set up the new administration. “If there was no intention to cooperate, we would not have named him,” he said.
Hariri took on the political mantle of his father, Rafik Al-Hariri, after his assassination in 2005. A UN-backed tribunal has charged five members of Hezbollah over the killing. The group denies any role.
After his father’s assassination, Hariri led a coalition of Lebanese parties through years of political conflict with Hezbollah and its allies, including Aoun. He was prime minister of a unity government from 2009 to 2011.
Hezbollah and its allies brought down that government by resigning while he was in Washington meeting the US president.
Hariri named Lebanon’s new PM, gains speaker’s backing
Hariri named Lebanon’s new PM, gains speaker’s backing
Desert Vipers cruise to 8-wicket ILT20 victory over Gulf Giants
- Bowler Khuzaima Tanveer is the star in the field with a record-breaking powerplay performance that set the foundation for a comfortable win
- Unbeaten 123-run batting partnership between Sam Curran and Max Holden ensures Vipers maintain 100% record after 5 matches
DUBAI: A brilliant performance by the Desert Vipers was rewarded with a fifth-straight win in the International League T20 on Friday, as they beat Gulf Giants by eight wickets to maintain their 100 percent record for the season.
After a fielding display led by a strong powerplay performance from Khuzaima Tanveer during which he took four wickets, an unbeaten 123-run batting partnership between Sam Curran and Max Holden made light work of the target set by the Giants at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Tanveer finished 4 for 10 in the first innings, an ILT20 record for a UAE bowler, and he also became the first to claim four wickets in the powerplay. His early attack kept the Giants on the back foot throughout, restricting them to 157/7 in 20 overs.
When it was the Vipers’ turn to bat, Curran’s unbeaten 67 off 43 balls, including five fours and three sixes, complemented Holden’s 64 runs off 41 balls as they chased the target and reached it with ease. It was the Vipers’ sixth straight win over the Giants.
Fakhar Zaman (14 off 8) was the first Viper to fall, in the second over, courtesy of a beautiful delivery by Chris Wood. Holden kept the runs flowing, however, and other than a run out of Hassan Nawaz (7 off 9) in the fourth over, the Vipers looked to be in complete control of the chase, finishing the powerplay at 53 for 2.
Curran joined the attack at the start of the fifth over. He smashed 19 runs off Liam Dawson, including three sixes, considerably reducing the required run rate. His power hitting continued off Kyle Mayers, and he completed his half-century in just 32 balls with a lovely four, scoring 18 runs in the 14th over.
The Vipers continued to build momentum and Holden joined Curran on the half-century list in just 31 balls, also with a four. Their partnership kept the scoreboard ticking over as they found regular boundaries while also rotating the strike.
The likes of Wood and Mark Adair were unable to keep them in check as they built an unbeaten 123-run partnership in just 77 balls, reaching the target in 16.5 overs.
Earlier, Tanveer made quick inroads into the Giants top order, striking twice in the second over: first removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz (2 off 4) with a superb delivery, then James Vince (0 off 2), who edged behind.
He picked up another out in the fourth, removing the dangerous Pathum Nissanka (19 off 12), and struck again in the sixth as Gerhard Erasmus (4 off 9) nicked to slip. A dominant powerplay left the Giants reeling at 30/4.
Mayers (30 off 24) briefly lifted the innings for the Giants when he took 18 off David Payne in the ninth over, but Noor Ahmad trapped him LBW to halt the momentum at 67/5 midway through the inning.
Asif Khan (36 off 38) held one end but the Vipers maintained control as Tom Curran removed Azmatullah Omarzai (20 off 15), and Ahmad dismissed Adair (1 off 2) soon after.
A late Dawson assault rescued the Giants somewhat as he smashed Lockie Ferguson for 16 in the 19th over and followed this up with a 21-run final over. He finished unbeaten on a blazing 38 off 14 (including three fours and three sixes), lifting his side’s total to a competitive 157/7.
Desert Vipers captain Ferguson said: “Tanveer has been outstanding for us all season. He was brilliant last year, too, winning games with the bat, and tonight he was exceptional with the ball.
“He’s played a lot of cricket recently, his rhythm is spot on, and the ball is coming out beautifully. He’s in a really good space. It was also great to see Max and Sam put together a big partnership.”
Vince, the Gulf Giants captain, said: “Tanveer bowled exceptionally well; full credit to him. We’ll probably look back and think about what we could have done differently but we were on the back foot early. We did well to recover to 157.
“This was the first match of the tournament where we were outplayed from the start. We were simply outplayed today, though the dew was a factor.”
