Lebanon's Prime Minister Forms New Government

Lebanon formed a new government on Saturday, following unusually direct United States intervention in the process and in a move aimed at bringing the country closer to accessing reconstruction funds after a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Speaking to reporters at the presidential palace, new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the 24-member cabinet would prioritize financial reforms, reconstruction and implementation of a United Nations resolution seen as a cornerstone for stability on Lebanon's border with Israel.

The announcement came after more than three weeks of talks with rival political parties in Lebanon, where government posts are divided along religious sects. Several ministerial-level candidacies of Shiite Muslims, usually nominated by Iran-backed Hezbollah and its Shiite ally Amal, have been blocked in recent days.

But Washington has opposed Hezbollah's influence in the formation of the new government.

US Middle East Affairs Chief Morgan Ortagus said Friday that the United States considers Hezbollah's inclusion in the new cabinet a "red line" and thanked Israel for dealing a devastating blow to the group, a controversial statement that sparked protests in Lebanon./ VOA

20:04 World

Tomorrow, Kosovo holds parliamentary elections

Around 2 million citizens with the right to vote will be a...

19:47 World

US, Mexican consumers concerned about tariffs

The imposition of 25 percent tariffs on Mexican products h...

19:30 World

Kosovo CEC: By 3:00 PM, 50.91 percent of voters in the diaspora had voted

Kosovo citizens living in the diaspora are voting on Satur...

15:14 World

Judge temporarily blocks DOGE's access to government payments system

A federal judge blocked the Department of Government Effic...

12:42 World

Voting continues for Kosovo's diplomatic missions, how many voters have voted so far

The voting process of the diplomatic missions of the Repub...

09:28 World

Voting begins at diplomatic missions of the Republic of Kosovo

Voting has begun at the diplomatic missions of the Republi...

08:46 World

Trump fires Kennedy Center chairman and several board officials

President Donald Trump has announced that he has fired the...

08:32 World

US judge temporarily blocks administration from sending 2,200 USAID employees on forced leave

A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked President Tr...

22:08 World

Albin Kurti, the politician who changed Kosovo/ Commitment to reforms, the fight against corruption and independence

Albin Kurti, the leader of LVV and also the Prime Mini...

21:53 World

LDK meeting in Podujeva/Abdixhiku: Kosovo is at the biggest political crossroads

The leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo and candidat...

21:49 World

Trump harshly attacks USAID/ Calls for the agency to be abolished

US President Donald Trump today continued his attacks on t...

21:50 World

Closing rally in Gjakova/ Haradinaj: With us, Kosovo will be safe and developed

Ramush Haradinaj, Chairman of the Alliance for the Future ...

21:28 World

Trump, possible meeting with Zelensky next week

United States President Donald Trump said on Friday th...

21:02 World

Kurti "shoots" internationals/ "They are looking at us with war"

Kosovo Prime Minister and candidate of the Vetëvendosj...

20:48 World

Kurti vows: The border in the north will not change and we will move without visas

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, once the candidate of t...

20:33 World

International Criminal Court criticizes US sanctions

The President of the United States of America, Donald Trum...

20:24 World

"It will not be an election, but a historic referendum"/ Kurti: We made Kosovo a solidary state

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that Sunday's elect...

20:24 World

USAID and China program suspension

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), who...

20:05 World

Trump meets with Japanese Prime Minister/Talks on economic and security issues

President Donald Trump hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shig...

19:59 World

Karen Pierce appointed UK envoy for the Western Balkans

The United Kingdom has appointed Karen Pierce as special e...