Mikati gets political thumbs up — LEBANON | 世界のニュースを英語で読むならジャパンタイムズウィークリー


	UPDATE: Saturday, June 12, 2010 The Japan Times Weekly 2005年4月23日号（バックナンバー）

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Mikati gets political thumbs up

Najib Mikati

Najib Mikati, a wealthy businessman with close ties to Syria, was nominated prime minister by the 128-member Parliament on April 15 and began talks to form a Cabinet palatable to both allies and opponents of Lebanon's long-time political master, Syria.

Having won the support of the anti-Syrian opposition, he revived daunting hopes of a May election and outlined his other priorities: cooperating fully with an international inquiry into the Feb. 14 killing of former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri and returning confidence to an economy shaken by his death.

President Emile Lahoud told European ambassadors that the elections would allow the Lebanese to express their will in an "atmosphere of freedom, integrity and democracy."

Opposition MPs promised Mikati their support to help ensure that the polls they predict will win them a majority in a house dominated by Syria's allies take place on time.

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