Miqati's New Government Faces Challenge of International Tribunal, Hizbullah Arms

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati, who has vowed to maintain national unity, will start consultations to form a new government after President Michel Suleiman appointed him Lebanon's new premier.

Miqati's appointment on Tuesday came amid a "day of rage" by fellow Sunnis who accused him of being a traitor to his sect and betraying former PM Saad Hariri.

The March 14 coalition, to which Hariri also belongs, views Miqati's candidacy as a bid by Hizbullah to impose on the Sunni community their choice for the premiership.

Pro-Hariri protesters on Tuesday blocked roads and burned tires in anger at Miqati's nomination, prompting France and Washington to voice concern.

Miqati offered to cooperate with the various Lebanese political parties to confront major challenges facing the country.

But the big question is: What stance will Miqati's government take with regards to the international tribunal in the wake of the Hizbullah-led campaign to oust Hariri and replace him with Miqati. And what about the other thorny issue of Hizbullah arms?

Shortly after his appointment, Miqati rejected attempts to cast him as "Hizbullah's man" and said he would cooperate with all Lebanese to form an inclusive government.

Miqati is not a member of Hizbullah and is considered a relative moderate.

On Wednesday, Miqati met former prime ministers, including Hariri, as part of the tradition.

Minister Fadi Abboud believed that government formation will "not take too long," particularly since Miqati promised to launch consultations with parliamentary blocs as early as Thursday.

"Don't prejudge me or my behavior, please, especially the international community," the 55-year-old told AFP in an interview.

"I say in all honesty that my nomination by Hizbullah does not mean I am bound by any of their political positions, except as concerns the protection of the national resistance," he said, referring to Hizbullah's struggle against Israel.

Hizbullah and its allies brought down Hariri's government January 12 after a long-running standoff over the U.N.-backed probe into the 2005 assassination of his father, former PM Rafik Hariri.

Hizbullah has said it believes some of its members will be indicted by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Hizbullah has denounced the STL as part of a U.S.-Israeli conspiracy.

Hizbullah can now either form its own government, leaving Hariri and his allies to become the Opposition, or it can try to persuade Hariri to join a national unity government.

In a speech Sunday night, Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said he favored a unity government.

Hariri said Monday he will not join a government headed by a Hizbullah-backed candidate.

Mikati told AFP that he would seek to address the explosive issue of the STL through dialogue.

"Stopping the tribunal today is no longer a Lebanese decision," he said, adding that Lebanon's cooperation with the tribunal was another question altogether. He did not elaborate.

Mikati, who is close to Syria and is considered a centrist, earlier told reporters that he would reach out to all parties in forming his government.

A technocrat government was not ruled out, however, if a national unity Cabinet was impossible to achieve.

Speaker Nabih Berri said in remarks published Wednesday that he does not veto a technocrat government on condition that it receives the support of the various political parties.