Hariri to be new Lebanese PM

Western-backed billionaire Saad Hariri pledged to work for a national unity government in Lebanon that includes his Hezbollah rivals shortly after being appointed his country’s next prime minister today.

An alliance led by the 39-year-old, son of slain former prime minister Rafik Hariri, fended off a serious challenge from the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies in parliamentary elections earlier this month.

Mr Hariri’s nomination – and his conciliatory statements – signal more willingness on the majority’s part to placate the Islamist Hezbollah and its allies, who had serious misgivings about the previous prime minister, Fuad Saniora.

Mr Hariri immediately pledged to work with rivals to form a national unity government to confront economic and security challenges.