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Diplomat Tapped to Be PM Vows Reforms in Crisis-Hit Lebanon

Associated Press

   BEIRUT - A Lebanese diplomat was appointed to form a new government on
   Monday after winning the backing of major political parties in the
   crisis-hit country, which is still reeling from a devastating explosion
   that killed and wounded thousands of people.

   President Michel Aoun asked Lebanon's ambassador to Germany,Mustapha
   Adib,to form a new government after he secured 90 votes among the
   legislators in the 128-member parliament.

   The consultations were being held hours before French President
   Emmanuel Macron was due to arrive for a two day-visit, during which he
   is expected to press Lebanese officials to formulate a new political
   pact to lift the country out of its multiple crises. At least 190
   people died and 6,000 were injured in the Aug. 4 blast, which
   devastated the city's port and caused widespread damage to residential
   and commercial areas in the capital.

   The government resigned less than a week after the blast.

   Adib told reporters his number one priority will be to quickly form a
   government able to implement crucial reforms to regain the trust of the
   Lebanese and international community.

   He said he will form a Cabinet of experts and will work with parliament
   to "put the country on track of improvement and to end the dangerous
   financial, economic and social drainage."

   "The opportunity in front of our country is narrow, and the mission
   that I accepted is based on all political groups knowing that. The
   government should be formed very quickly," he added.

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