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Lebanon’s Hariri: We Want a Government of National Consensus

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri begins his round of consultations to form a new government by meeting with former Premier Salim Hoss (Dalati & Nohra)
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri begins his round of consultations to form a new government by meeting with former Premier Salim Hoss (Dalati & Nohra)
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Lebanon’s Hariri: We Want a Government of National Consensus

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri begins his round of consultations to form a new government by meeting with former Premier Salim Hoss (Dalati & Nohra)
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri begins his round of consultations to form a new government by meeting with former Premier Salim Hoss (Dalati & Nohra)

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri began on Friday the consultations to form a new government by meeting with the former premiers, including Salim Hoss, Najib Miqati, Fouad Saniora and Tamam Salam.
 
“We want a government that is based on national consensus with regards to broad headlines and even on certain details,” Hariri said following his meeting with Hoss, adding: “We are working in the same positive spirit as we did during the past year and a half...and I am sure we can accomplish a lot.”
 
He also said: “Regional pressure will accelerate the formation of the government as long as there is internal consensus.”
 
Hariri reiterated that none of the Future Movement deputies will be given cabinet seats, noting that there is no disagreement over this issue with caretaker Interior Minister Nohad al-Mashnouq.
 
In remarks following his meeting with Miqati, the prime minister-designate underlined that consensus would strengthen the country, adding that he hoped to promote his relation with the former premier.
 
A statement by Hariri’s office said the two sides stressed that consensus between all parties would reinforce the country and that all political blocs wanted to accelerate the formation of the government.
 
For his part, Miqati said: “We are in front of an important turning point… we agree with Hariri on building the state on the right foundations, including fighting corruption.”
 
Addressing reporters at the end of his visit to Siniora, Hariri underlined the importance of boosting Lebanon’s economy and providing employment opportunities for young Lebanese men and women, referring to the “historic opportunity to implement the Cedar Conference recommendations.”
 
“We all want a rapid cabinet formation for the benefit of Lebanon and the Lebanese. The challenges are great in the country, both economically and regionally,” he added.

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European Allies to Meet over Syria, Says Italy’s Foreign Ministry

Passengers wear adopted flags by the new Syrian rulers at the arrival terminal of Damascus airport, as Qatar Airways becomes the first international airline to announce the return of international flights at Damascus airport after 13 years of its suspension, in Damascus, Syria, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Passengers wear adopted flags by the new Syrian rulers at the arrival terminal of Damascus airport, as Qatar Airways becomes the first international airline to announce the return of international flights at Damascus airport after 13 years of its suspension, in Damascus, Syria, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
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European Allies to Meet over Syria, Says Italy’s Foreign Ministry

Passengers wear adopted flags by the new Syrian rulers at the arrival terminal of Damascus airport, as Qatar Airways becomes the first international airline to announce the return of international flights at Damascus airport after 13 years of its suspension, in Damascus, Syria, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Passengers wear adopted flags by the new Syrian rulers at the arrival terminal of Damascus airport, as Qatar Airways becomes the first international airline to announce the return of international flights at Damascus airport after 13 years of its suspension, in Damascus, Syria, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)

Foreign ministers from Italy, France, Germany, Britain and the United States will meet this week over the situation in Syria, Italy said Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani will preside over the meeting Thursday with his European and US counterparts, the ministry wrote in a statement.

The US Department of State had announced Monday that Secretary of State Anthony Blinken would meet European counterparts, calling it an occasion "to advocate for a peaceful, inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition".

Opposition forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive last month after 13 years of brutal war, with Western powers cautiously hoping for greater stability in Syria.

Italy's foreign ministry said Tajani sought the meeting "to take stock of the situation in Syria one month after the fall of the Assad regime".

On the agenda is the work of Syria's transitional government and the challenges posed by an upcoming national dialogue conference, it said.

Also to be discussed are the drafting of a new constitution and Syria's economic recovery.

In Rome, Blinken will join US President Joe Biden as he pays a farewell visit to Italy's capital that includes an audience with Pope Francis.